Trump Praises Elon Musk and DOGE Amid Tesla CEO Departure from Government Position

Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a high-profile departure from his government post, appearing alongside U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. During an unusual press conference, Musk—sporting a noticeable black eye—addressed personal rumors and reaffirmed his intention to maintain a close advisory role with the president despite officially stepping down.

President Trump was effusive in his praise for Musk’s contributions, describing them as “incredible service” to the administration. In a symbolic gesture, Trump handed Musk a golden key to the White House, but insisted that “Elon's really not leaving. He's going to be back and forth.” Trump further pointed out that many of the team members from the DOGE initiative, the cost-cutting program spearheaded by Musk, are expected to continue their work within the administration.

The president also pledged his commitment to making DOGE-related budget cuts permanent, revealing plans to seek congressional action to codify the measures. However, there remains uncertainty about the true financial impact of DOGE. While the White House claimed ambitious savings of $170 billion, independent trackers and other publications have cited significantly lower figures, with some estimates reaching as low as $2 billion.

The press conference was dominated by attention to Musk’s visible bruise, sparking widespread speculation about its origin. This scrutiny was intensified by recent allegations reported by major outlets, suggesting Musk struggled with ketamine and other substances during the 2024 campaign season. Musk dismissed the drug-related rumors and attributed the injury to a playful incident with his young son, humorously recounting that, “even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is…” before trailing off.

When pressed further about the drug allegations, Musk opted not to respond directly, instead criticizing media coverage and pointing to his preference for using his X social media platform as an information source. The entrepreneur’s tense relationship with traditional news outlets was evident throughout the briefing.

Musk’s departure follows growing tensions with the Trump administration over fiscal policies. Earlier this week, Musk publicly voiced his disappointment with proposed tax and spending bills, arguing they could nullify much of the progress made by the DOGE initiative. This disillusionment, combined with recent struggles at both Tesla and SpaceX—including slumping sales, shareholder demands, and high-profile rocket failures—has placed further pressure on Musk to refocus on his business ventures.

Despite leaving his formal government role, Musk emphasized his ongoing friendship and advisory relationship with Trump, leaving the door open for future collaborations. The developments signal a pivotal moment for both Musk’s personal involvement in government affairs and the administration’s broader fiscal strategy.