In a symbolic farewell ceremony inside the Oval Office on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump praised billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk as he stepped down from his post leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, dressed in a signature all-black outfit with a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “The Dogefather,” was warmly acknowledged by Trump for his “colossal” impact on reshaping federal bureaucracy.
The moment marked the end of a controversial yet high-profile chapter in Musk’s already busy career. With his departure, Musk said he will now refocus on his sprawling business empire—including electric vehicle giant Tesla, aerospace company SpaceX, and social media platform X.
“Elon Musk has been instrumental in changing the way we do business in Washington,” President Trump said during the ceremony. “It’s been the most sweeping and consequential government reform effort in generations.”
The billionaire accepted a ceremonial key from Trump and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, while also hinting at his continued involvement.
“I think the DOGE team is doing an incredible job,” Musk said. “They’re going to continue to be doing an incredible job, even as I return to my companies.”
Legacy of Disruption
Musk’s tenure was defined by an aggressive push to streamline government operations, eliminate what he called “wasteful bureaucracy,” and reduce federal spending. His DOGE team reportedly slashed thousands of federal jobs and cut deeply into programs, most notably the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which for decades provided humanitarian aid around the world.
According to a study by researchers at Boston University, the USAID cuts have already contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people globally. The move sparked outrage from humanitarian groups and policy experts, who warned of long-term diplomatic and humanitarian consequences.
Despite the dramatic changes, Musk ultimately fell short of his fiscal promises. At the outset, he pledged to cut $1 to $2 trillion from federal spending. That goal was later scaled down to $150 billion for the current fiscal year. The official DOGE website claims the administration achieved $175 billion in savings, but several watchdog groups and analysts have flagged the data as being riddled with inconsistencies and exaggerations.
“He shook things up, no doubt,” said a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But the fallout has been massive, and a lot of damage was done to essential services.”
Trump: “This Isn’t Goodbye”
Trump made it clear that Musk’s departure would not sever his influence within the administration.
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” the President posted on Truth Social Thursday night. “Elon is terrific!”
During the Oval Office sendoff, Trump suggested Musk would remain an informal advisor and continue offering strategic input.
“He’s really not leaving,” Trump said. “He’s going to be back and forth, keeping tabs on what’s happening here.”
Musk, for his part, seemed noncommittal but didn’t rule out future involvement.
“DOGE is a way of life,” Musk said recently to a group of reporters. “Like Buddhism. It doesn’t need me to survive—it will evolve.”
A Bruise and a Laugh
Observers noticed a visible bruise near Musk’s right eye during the ceremony, which sparked immediate speculation. Musk, always ready with a quirky explanation, dismissed any serious cause.
“I was horsing around with my son,” he said with a grin. “I told him to punch me in the face—and he did.”
The anecdote, characteristic of Musk’s unfiltered public persona, brought laughter to an otherwise formal event.
Political Donations and Future Plans
Musk, who emerged as Trump’s biggest individual donor during the 2024 election, recently announced plans to scale back his political contributions. The billionaire has drawn criticism from both the left and right for his unpredictable political stances and unapologetic support for controversial figures.
Although Musk’s position at DOGE was always meant to be temporary under the classification of “special government employee,” he previously entertained the idea of staying indefinitely if Trump requested his continued involvement.
“I could work part-time, if needed,” he had told reporters earlier this year.
His departure, however, seems to be firm for now, as he shifts focus back to innovation and expansion at Tesla and SpaceX, while continuing to push new features and policies at X, his social media company.
End of an Era, or Just a Pause?
Whether this is a final farewell or merely a hiatus remains to be seen. Musk has been known to pivot rapidly between industries, roles, and even ideologies.
What is clear is that his presence in the Trump administration, however brief, left a seismic impact on how the federal government operates—or in some critics’ view, how it no longer does.
“Elon Musk is not a conventional thinker,” said political analyst Dana Reeves. “He entered Washington with the same disruptive mindset that built his companies. But unlike the private sector, lives are at stake when you gut public programs.”
As Musk exited the White House, surrounded by photographers and a small group of aides, he offered one final comment.
“It’s been real,” he said, raising the ceremonial key in the air. “Now back to Mars.”
