United States President Donald Trump on Thursday lavished praise on billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk as the latter stepped down from his government role, ending a controversial and high-profile tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The announcement came ahead of a joint press conference scheduled to be held in the Oval Office on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, where both Trump and Musk are expected to address the media together.
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific!” the President posted on Truth Social. He added, “I am having a press conference tomorrow at 1.30 pm EST with Elon Musk at the Oval Office.”
Musk confirmed his departure in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work within the administration.
“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,” he wrote.
“The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he added.
Also read: Elon Musk quits Trump administration, cites 'frustration' in D.C.
Musk’s time in the post was marked by aggressive cost-cutting efforts, internal clashes with federal departments, and persistent controversy over his outspoken support for Trump and several far-right political actors in Europe.
While the official cause of his departure remains undisclosed, those familiar with internal discussions suggest the decision followed pressure from multiple quarters. Tesla’s share value has experienced volatility, with investors increasingly uneasy over Musk’s overt political positioning and divided attention between his private ventures and public duties.
Earlier this week, Musk criticised the Republicans’ proposed tax and budget legislation, describing it as excessively costly. The criticism came on the heels of his pledge to curtail political donations, after he spent nearly USD 300 million in the previous year on Trump’s re-election bid and other Republican candidates.
The White House expressed appreciation for Musk’s contributions to the government. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a routine briefing, acknowledged his foundational role in DOGE.
“We thank him for his service. We thank him for getting DOGE off the ground,” Ms Leavitt said.
Tesla shareholders have increasingly urged Musk to redirect focus toward his primary business interests, especially in light of recent failed SpaceX launches and a perceived dip in attention to Tesla operations.
Despite stepping down, it is evident that Musk will continue to remain a key figure in the political and technological space, with both Trump and his supporters continuing to view him as a valuable ally in governance reform and campaign strategy.
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