Elon Musk concluded his brief but headline-making stint as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Friday. President Donald Trump marked the occasion with a joint press conference in the Oval Office, thanking Musk for his “incredible service” and presenting him with a golden key to the White House.
Musk, wearing a black outfit and a T-shirt emblazoned with “The Dogefather,” accepted the honour with a modest nod, saying the DOGE team would continue their efforts without him.
DOGE claims $175 billion saved
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE embarked on an aggressive campaign to trim federal spending. The agency targeted large-scale government programs and reportedly dismissed or pressured out thousands of federal employees. Among the most impacted agencies was the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which saw dramatic budget cuts.
Despite the sweeping changes, Musk fell short of his ambitious cost-saving targets. Initially promising to slash between $1 trillion and $2 trillion, he later revised the goal to $150 billion for the year. Although the DOGE website claims $175 billion in savings, the Associated Press noted that the data contains numerous inaccuracies and inflated figures.
What Trump said on Musk’s farewell?
Trump hailed Musk’s efforts as “the most sweeping and consequential government reform effort in generations.” According to the President, Musk brought “a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington.”
Though this marks the official end of Musk’s role, Trump suggested the billionaire will continue to have influence. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, helping all the way,” Trump wrote on social media.
Calling Musk’s contributions “without comparison in modern history,” Trump hailed Musk’s dedication to the country, stating, “He’s already running one of the most innovative car companies in the world… Yet, Elon willingly accepted the outrageous abuse, slander, and attacks because he does love our country.”
The remarks came on the same day a media report surfaced about the billionaire’s alleged drug use during the 2024 campaign. Despite the controversy, Trump doubled down on his support: “Americans owe him a great debt of gratitude. He had to go through the slings and arrows, which is a shame because he’s an incredible patriot.”
Trump also outlined several cost-cutting measures recommended by DOGE under Musk’s leadership. “We have terminated many contracts and many more are under review. Some will take months or even a year, but we are pursuing them through proper channels,” Trump said.
He listed specific cancellations, including:
- $101 million in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) contracts at the Department of Education
- $59 million for hotel accommodations for undocumented immigrants in New York City
- $45 million in DEI scholarships in Burma
- $42 million for behavioral programs in Uganda
- $40 million for migrant inclusion initiatives
- $8 million for gender studies involving transgender mice
“America will remember what Elon Musk has done,” Trump concluded.
While Musk’s legacy at DOGE remains debated, his influence on federal cost-cutting is undeniable. Some of Musk’s reforms may continue under remaining DOGE staff, with Trump hinting that members of Musk’s team will stay in place. Musk himself has suggested the agency might “gain momentum” even after his departure.
Musk will now shift his focus back to his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X.