Trump Shares Thank You Video as Elon Musk Wraps Up White House Tenure

The departure of Elon Musk from his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) marks a significant moment for the Trump administration, which has relied on the tech billionaire’s unorthodox approach to government reform over the past several months. On Friday, the White House released a tribute video celebrating Musk’s tenure, featuring highlights ranging from his vocal endorsement of President Donald Trump in July 2024—an event that followed the attempted assassination of then-candidate Trump—to his final day overseeing sweeping reforms in Washington.

In addition to the video, a flurry of social media posts expressed gratitude to Musk for his “transformative” leadership. One post outlined major “DOGE Wins,” emphasizing the department’s success in reducing government waste and inefficiency. Under Musk, DOGE claims to have saved American taxpayers $170 billion, eliminated over 500,000 government credit cards and accounts deemed redundant or fraudulent, and implemented critical updates within the Social Security Administration’s records management—all part of a broader effort to bring private-sector practices to federal operations.

At a joint news conference Friday, President Trump personally recognized Musk’s achievements by presenting him with a symbolic “key to the White House”. In remarks praising Musk’s impact, Trump declared, “Elon’s delivered a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington… Musk’s service to America has been without comparison in modern history.” The administration insists that while Musk is stepping down, the changes he initiated will continue to shape government processes for years to come.

Support for Musk’s work has come from across the Republican leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson commended both Musk and DOGE for their relentless assault on government waste, stating they “dug through the bureaucracy and shined a light on MASSIVE waste, fraud, and abuse,” ultimately saving the country billions and providing lawmakers with a tangible roadmap for further reform. Johnson emphasized that these actions are not just immediate wins but set the foundation for future Congressional efforts to root out inefficiency across multiple agencies.

Questions remain regarding the future direction of DOGE in Musk’s absence. Both the White House and Musk himself addressed the uncertainty, with officials vowing ongoing commitment to the department’s mission. Musk, speaking candidly to reporters, likened DOGE’s ethos to a lasting philosophy, remarking, “DOGE is a way of life, like Buddhism. You wouldn’t ask who would lead Buddhism. Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?” This analogy suggests that Musk views the department’s reforms as enduring principles that transcend any one individual’s leadership.

Looking ahead, Musk indicated a return to his roots as an industrial innovator, planning to immerse himself once again in the operations of his ventures, often working long hours and even sleeping in offices or factory spaces—a marked change from the high-profile accommodations at the White House. Yet, President Trump hinted that Musk’s influence would persist, closing the event with the assurance that Musk would “always be with us, helping all the way,” suggesting an ongoing advisory relationship despite the official end of his government service.