As Elon Musk stepped down from his role helping the US government save money, President Donald Trump praised him for his "incredible service." Yahoo!
Elon Musk surprised many during a strange farewell with former President Donald Trump. He showed up at the Oval Office wearing a black eye. Musk said he got the bruise when his young son playfully punched him. He promised to stay a “friend and advisor” to Trump, despite stepping down from his government role.
Trump praised Musk for “incredible service” in his time running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He said Musk’s reforms were the biggest in years. Trump also gave Musk a golden key to the White House. But Trump insisted Musk was “really not leaving” and would visit often.
Run at Cutting Government Costs
Musk’s role was to cut government waste and save money. In just four months, DOGE cut tens of thousands of jobs and closed some agencies. The goal was to save $1 trillion, but Musk admitted that would take time. So far, reports show the savings fall far short of the goal.
The White House says DOGE saved $170 billion. Independent groups say the number is much lower, some as low as $2 billion. Musk also said he felt disappointed by Trump’s plans to spend more money, which went against his efforts to cut costs.
Drug Use Claims Stir Controversy
Along with the strange black eye, Musk faced claims about drug use. A news report said Musk used ketamine so much on the 2024 campaign trail he had bladder problems. The report also said he took ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms last year.
Musk didn’t answer questions about the drugs. Instead, he criticized the news source, asking, “Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate?” Trump said he didn’t know about Musk’s drug use and called Musk a “fantastic guy.”
Musk has admitted to using ketamine before. He said it helped him deal with a “negative frame of mind” and even helped his work.
Musk’s Rocky Time in the White House
Musk’s time working with Trump was dramatic. At first, he was often seen close to Trump—on Air Force One, at Mar-a-Lago, and in the White House. His team pushed hard to cut government jobs fast. But Musk’s bold “move fast and break things” style clashed with others in the administration.
Musk grew unhappy with the job. He criticized Trump’s big tax and spending plans. Meanwhile, Musk’s own companies faced troubles. Tesla sales dropped, and some shareholders wanted Musk to focus more on his company. SpaceX also had several rocket failures.
Looking Ahead
Even though Musk left his government role, he promised to keep advising Trump. He wore a black T-shirt with “Dogefather” on it, showing his playful side. The farewell was unusual, filled with praise, drug rumors, and a black eye story that grabbed headlines.
