Written by CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, marking the end of a turbulent chapter for the tech mogul.
Musk is stepping down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency to focus on managing his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X.
Trump commended Musk for revolutionizing traditional Washington practices and noted that some of his team members would remain in the administration. Musk, dressed in all black with a “The Dogefather” t-shirt, listened as Trump highlighted the contracts that were renegotiated during his tenure.
“I believe the DOGE team is performing exceptionally well,” Musk stated after receiving a symbolic key from the president. “They will continue to excel.”
During his time in office, Musk made significant changes to the federal government, resulting in the dismissal or resignation of numerous employees. Some agencies, like the U.S. Agency for International Development, faced severe cutbacks, impacting vulnerable populations worldwide. Studies from Boston University suggest that these cuts have led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives.
Despite his efforts, Musk fell short of his ambitious targets. Initially aiming to reduce federal spending by trillions, he later adjusted expectations to $150 billion for the current fiscal year.
The accuracy of these figures remains uncertain. The DOGE website claims savings of $175 billion, but its data has been questioned for inaccuracies.
Trump praised Musk for spearheading the most significant government reform initiative in decades, hinting that Musk may still have involvement in the administration’s affairs.
Musk, the wealthiest individual globally, recently announced plans to reduce his political contributions, having been a major donor to Trump’s presidential campaign.
Trump expressed satisfaction with Musk’s service, emphasizing his continued support for the administration.
“While today may be his official departure, Elon’s impact will endure as he remains a guiding force,” Trump shared on social media. “Elon is exceptional!”
Although Musk’s role as a special government employee was intended to be temporary, he pondered the possibility of staying on a part-time basis if Trump desired his ongoing assistance.
When questioned about the future of DOGE without him, Musk remained optimistic, suggesting that it could evolve and thrive in the future.
“DOGE is not just a project, it’s a lifestyle,” Musk stated. “Similar to the principles of Buddhism.”
Contributions by Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer
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