In a twist that defies the usual ebb and flow of political alliances, it appears that the much-discussed camaraderie between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk is very much alive. In an enthusiastic announcement via Truth Social on Thursday night, Trump revealed that he would host a press conference in the Oval Office with Musk on Friday. This event marks Musk’s final day as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Interestingly, Musk’s tenure as a (unpaid) Special Government Employee has reached the legal limit of 130 calendar days this week.
Despite Trump’s support, Musk’s attempts to overhaul the federal government have been met with considerable pushback from various White House officials, cabinet secretaries, and a faction of GOP Congress members and Senators, not to mention a formidable federal bureaucracy resistant to change. Musk’s primary concern has been to curb federal spending, which he believes poses a significant threat to the future of the United States if the current trend of excessive deficit spending is not halted immediately.
However, Musk’s work with DOGE has not come without peril; he has faced serious death threats as a result of his initiatives. His companies, particularly Tesla, have been targeted, with protests escalating to the point of firebombing dealerships and vandalizing vehicles, including Cybertrucks. Tesla drivers have even reported assaults.
Nevertheless, DOGE can boast several accomplishments, including exposing outdated systems that facilitate trillions of dollars in unregulated payments by the Treasury, as well as the antiquated federal retirement system (which some might liken to a relic from the Stone Age). One of DOGE’s crowning achievements has been the closure of USAID, a move that reportedly saved the government billions of dollars. It seems that DOGE will persist in its mission, albeit without Musk’s direct leadership.
Reflecting on the origins of this political partnership, one might remember the moment it blossomed at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5 of last year.
“I am having a Press Conference tomorrow at 1:30 P.M. EST (sic EDT), with Elon Musk, at the Oval Office. This will be his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific! See you tomorrow at the White House.”
In a post on X, the social media platform he acquired to champion free speech, Musk shared his gratitude on Wednesday night: “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.
The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025
For several months following the election last year and into the initial months of Trump’s second term, Musk and Trump appeared inseparable, with Musk frequently staying at Mar-a-Lago and even residing at the White House complex. Their weekends often included flights to Mar-a-Lago, sometimes accompanied by Musk’s son, affectionately dubbed ‘Little X’:
Screen image, via C-SPAN, March 14, 2025.
Musk was even present at cabinet meetings, where he humorously remarked on the numerous roles he was juggling:
.@realDonaldTrump: “Elon, I love the double hat by the way.”@elonmusk: “Well, Mr. President, you know they say I wear a lot of hats. Even my hat has a hat!” pic.twitter.com/iwlSpTDQVl
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 30, 2025
Recently, Musk, now recognized as the world’s richest individual, announced a retreat from political donations and has opted to return to sleeping in the offices of his companies.
