President Donald Trump met with Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday for a farewell meeting as Musk stepped down from leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Dressed in black with a “The Dogefather” shirt, Musk listened while Trump outlined the impact of deep government contract cuts. Trump praised Musk for his role in reshaping Washington’s operations and driving major federal reforms.
Musk announced he will now shift his focus back to his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X. Trump highlighted Musk’s transformative shakeup of the federal system, especially the reduction of thousands of federal workers, and noted that while Musk leaves DOGE, some team members will remain in the administration.
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE dramatically cut operations across several federal agencies. Among the programs dismantled was the U.S. Agency for International Development, which previously provided essential aid to poor communities worldwide. Research from Boston University linked these program cuts to hundreds of thousands of deaths, underscoring the significant human impact of the restructuring.
In a symbolic gesture, Trump presented Musk with a gold-colored key, calling it a tribute reserved for “very special people.” Trump described the gift as a national recognition of Musk’s efforts. Musk expressed openness to advising Trump in the future, though Trump interrupted to affirm he expects Musk’s continued influence in federal matters. Musk also reiterated his goal to save $1 trillion through efficiency reforms.
Trump predicted Musk will “go back and forth” between his business interests and federal affairs, with DOGE staff embedded in agencies to continue reforms. He suggested Musk will keep a close watch on “his baby” from a distance, signaling ongoing involvement even after stepping down.