As Elon Musk’s 130-day tenure as a special government employee officially concludes, President Donald Trump made it clear on Friday that the tech billionaire’s influence within his administration is far from over. Despite Musk’s formal departure from his role leading the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), Trump insisted that “Elon is not really leaving,” signaling a continued close relationship between the two powerful figures.
In an Oval Office press conference that served as a public farewell, Trump lauded Musk’s contributions to his administration, crediting him with “tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations.” He praised Musk’s “very great talents” and underscored the transformative potential of DOGE, a controversial initiative aimed at drastically cutting federal spending and personnel.
However, the event also highlighted a notable divergence in their public stances. Just a day prior, Musk had expressed “disappointment” with Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” a comprehensive budget package that includes multi-trillion dollar tax breaks and increased defense spending. Musk had publicly stated that the bill “undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing” by increasing the budget deficit. Yet, during the Oval Office appearance, there were no fireworks; the mood was decidedly cordial.
“Elon’s really not leaving, he’s going to be back and forth, I think,” Trump told reporters, suggesting that Musk would continue to be deeply involved. “It’s his baby,” he added, referring to DOGE, implying that the SpaceX and Tesla CEO would continue to oversee its progress from outside formal government structures. Musk himself echoed this sentiment, calling the event “not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning,” and vowing to remain a “friend and advisor to the president.”
Musk’s 130-day stint as a “special government employee” is the maximum allowed under federal ethics rules for unpaid advisors. During his time, DOGE has overseen widespread government layoffs and the elimination of numerous federal programs, notably including a significant portion of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). While DOGE claims to have saved billions, a BBC analysis indicated that only a fraction of those savings have been itemized and verified.
The billionaire’s presence in the White House has also sparked scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, given his companies’ extensive dealings with the U.S. government. SpaceX, in particular, holds billions in federal contracts.
Despite the controversies and the public disagreement over fiscal policy, Trump presented Musk with a gold-colored key, a gesture he reserves for “very special people,” symbolizing Musk’s impact on his administration. Musk, who appeared with a black eye he attributed to “horsing around” with his son, reciprocated the praise, commending Trump’s renovations of the Oval Office.
As Musk pivots back to focus more intensely on his business ventures, particularly amidst challenges at Tesla, the question of his continued influence looms large. Trump’s assurances suggest that while the formal contract may have ended, the alliance between the tech titan and the President is set to evolve, not dissolve, maintaining a unique and often unpredictable dynamic at the heart of American power.