Washington, (EFE).- Elon Musk stepped down Friday from his government role during a ceremony at the White House, where United States President Donald Trump praised the tech mogul’s contributions and Musk pledged to continue advising the president despite recent criticism.
“I’ll keep visiting and will be a friend and adviser to the president. I look forward to being back in this incredible room,” said Musk, speaking from the Oval Office in a black t-shirt, blazer, and baseball cap.
Musk explained his departure was due to the expiration of his temporary 130-day contract but emphasized that his controversial Government Efficiency Department, known as DOGE, would live on.
“The DOGE team will grow stronger over time. The influence of DOGE will keep expanding. It’s kind of like Buddhism. It’s a way of life,” said the billionaire, who is CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, and owner of the social media platform X.
His announcement came a day after publicly criticizing Trump’s new fiscal plan, which he warned would worsen the national deficit and undermine DOGE’s cost-cutting initiatives.
Praise and key
“Elon’s not really leaving. He’ll be coming and going. I think DOGE is his baby,” said Trump, who lavished praise on Musk’s performance in government.
“Elon’s service to the US has been unmatched in modern history,” the president said, calling Musk “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever known.”
Trump presented Musk with a ceremonial key “on behalf of the American people” in recognition of his efforts. He said Musk and his DOGE team had been instrumental in “detecting fraud, reducing waste, and modernizing broken and outdated systems.”
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE spearheaded deep budget cuts across several federal departments, which were reflected in Trump’s fiscal plans.
According to DOGE’s website, the program has saved 175 billion dollars in federal spending to date.
Drugs allegations denied
Musk also addressed a New York Times report published Friday, which alleged he used drugs “more intensely than previously known” during 2024’s election campaign when he actively ed Trump.
Citing anonymous sources, the report claimed Musk’s drug use included ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, stimulants like Adderall, and large quantities of ketamine that allegedly began affecting his bladder.
“Is that the same publication that won a Pulitzer for fake news about Russiagate? Is it the same one? I think it is!” Musk responded, quickly moving on to take a question from another reporter.
A bruise and a joke
Sporting a bruise near his right eye and a t-shirt reading “The Dogefather,” a humorous nod to both DOGE and The Godfather film franchise, Musk also offered some levity during the press conference.
When asked about the bruise, Musk blamed his five-year-old son, X.
“I was joking around with little X, told him: ‘Come on, punch me in the face,’ and he did,” said Musk, adding that the mark had nothing to do with .
His comment referenced a viral incident earlier this week in which French First Lady Brigitte Macron was caught on camera slapping French President Emmanuel Macron during a public event.
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