On Friday, President Donald Trump is set to hold a press event in honor of Elon Musk as the CEO of Tesla wraps up his brief and tumultuous stint leading the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after just four months.
Musk’s exit arrives at a critical juncture for both DOGE and his dynamic with the president.
Recent departures from DOGE include key figures such as Steve Davis, president of Musk’s Boring Company, and spokesperson Katie Miller, as confirmed by White House officials to NBC News. Additionally, attorney James Burnham is reportedly leaving the department as well.
During his tenure, Musk acted as a prominent “special government employee,” a role that followed his substantial financial backing of over $250 million for Trump’s election campaign.
Throughout his time in service, Trump has consistently lauded Musk, up to the announcement of the Friday event in the Oval Office.
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, helping all the way,” Trump stated on Truth Social, adding, “Elon is terrific!”
Despite their close ties, Musk, who ranks as the world’s wealthiest individual, has publicly distanced himself from Trump, expressing disagreements with various Cabinet members.
He voiced support for lower tariffs, countering Trump’s image as a “tariff man.” Furthermore, Musk did not hold back when criticizing White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, dubbing him “truly a moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.”
This week, Musk expressed discontent with Trump’s push for the “one big, beautiful bill,” stating in an interview with CBS’s “Sunday Morning” that he was “disappointed” the legislation would lead to an increased federal budget deficit, arguing it “undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
The Department of Government Efficiency was initially touted by Musk as a means to slash trillions from government spending, yet the department has not achieved these ambitious targets, according to its own reports, which have also faced scrutiny.
Nevertheless, Musk remains optimistic about DOGE’s future.
“The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” Musk stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, expressing gratitude towards Trump.
However, Musk’s foray into politics has reportedly tarnished his public image, resulting in negative perceptions of Tesla, with the company’s vehicles and facilities becoming targets of vandalism and arson.
In the final weeks of his governmental role, Musk, once a highly visible figure in Trump’s orbit, became notably less present, according to reports from Politico.
Recently, Musk indicated a shift away from political engagement, including a decrease in future campaign funding, in favor of focusing on his diverse business ventures.
This story is ongoing, and updates will follow.
