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

In a dramatic Oval Office press conference, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced his departure from government service, appearing alongside President Donald Trump. Sporting a conspicuous black eye and fielding questions on personal controversies, Musk reiterated his commitment to serve as a "friend and advisor" to the president, while dismissing rumors surrounding his health and professional future.

President Trump praised Musk's "incredible service" to the nation during his tenure, presenting him with a ceremonial golden key to the White House in a gesture of appreciation. However, Trump emphasized that Musk's exit was not definitive, assuring reporters, "Elon's really not leaving. He's going to be back and forth." The president noted that many members of the DOGE team would remain in their roles and pledged to seek permanent legislative backing for DOGE's fiscal initiatives.

DOGE, the administration's high-profile cost-cutting program spearheaded by Musk, has been a centerpiece of the government's efforts to trim federal spending. While Musk initially set an ambitious goal of saving $2 trillion, official figures released by the White House put actual savings at $170 billion to date. Independent assessments, however, have reported significantly smaller amounts, with numbers as low as $2 billion cited by some analysts.

The press event was overshadowed by public curiosity about Musk's evident black eye, sparking speculation about its origin. The intrigue deepened after recent reports alleged that Musk used substantial quantities of ketamine during the 2024 campaign season, potentially leading to health issues. Addressing the room, Musk attributed the injury to playful misadventure with his son, saying, "I was just horsing around with lil' X, and I said, 'Go ahead punch me in the face.' And he did." Musk declined to comment further on the drug abuse allegations circulating in the media.

Controversy over Musk's lifestyle choices was fueled by new claims that he had consumed ecstasy and psychoactive mushrooms, as well as travelling with a pill box last year. Musk, a frequent critic of traditional media, used the platform to deflect attention away from the reports, instead touting his X social media site as a preferred alternative for public discourse.

Musk's decision to leave the administration comes amid signs of growing disenchantment with federal fiscal policy. The entrepreneur expressed disappointment earlier in the week over Trump's pending tax and spending legislation, which he believes undermines the progress achieved through DOGE.

Meanwhile, Musk's private sector empire has endured turbulence. Tesla shareholders have voiced concerns over his prolonged absence as the company faces slumping sales and mounting protests. At the same time, SpaceX, another of Musk’s ventures, has grappled with a string of high-profile rocket failures, adding to pressure on the billionaire to refocus on his business interests.