It’s Elon Musk’s last day as an official employee of the federal government, “but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way” — at least according to President Donald Trump’s announcement of his parting press conference with the billionaire.
In an Oval Office presser that mirrored many of the duo’s televised White House appearances, the president thanked Musk for his time leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and for “willingly” accepting “outrageous abuse and slander and lies and attacks, because he does love our country.”
Trump reiterated that “Elon is really not leaving” and that he is “going to be back-and-forth” to tend to his “baby,” DOGE, and that “he’s going to be doing a lot of things.”
Trump presented Musk with a ceremonial White House key for his efforts, and added that under DOGE’s guidance “the mind-set of the senior ranks at every federal department has really changed.”
Musk stated that, in his view, the work of DOGE was just beginning, and that despite his departure he expected “to continue to provide advice on whatever the president would like advice on.”
“I will continue to be visiting here and be a friend and advisor to the president, and we look forward to being back in this amazing room,” Musk said at one point.
The press conference came hours after The New York Times released a report detailing Musk’s allegedly regular use of ketamine and other recreational drugs while campaigning on behalf of Trump in 2024. According to sources who spoke to the Times, Musk had privately complained that his regular consumption of ketamine was causing him issues with his bladder, a common side effect of chronic use. Musk also reportedly took ecstasy and mushrooms while stumping for Trump last year.
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When Fox News’ Peter Doocy attempted to ask about the report, Musk interrupted him before he could finish the question.
“New York Times, is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate? Is that the same organization? I think it is?” Musk asked in a bizarre, seemingly rehearsed bit. “Let’s move on,” he said to Doocey, who — in typical Fox News fashion — heeded the instruction and abandoned the line of questioning.
The bizarre nature of the press conference was highlighted by Musk having a black eye, which he claimed was due to his five-year-old son punching him in the face. “I was just walking around with little X, and I said, ‘Go ahead, punch me in the face,’ and he did,” Musk said.
The gone-but-not-forgotten sentiment around Musk’s departure was reaffirmed by the White House and other prominent GOP lawmakers.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that members of the president’s Cabinet will continue “to work with the respective DOGE employees who have onboarded as political appointees at all of these agencies,” and that “the mission of DOGE will continue, and many DOGE employees are now political appointees of our government.”
In a post on X, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote that although Musk is stepping away from his government role, “the House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand.”
DOGE’s chaotic cuts have been cruel, nonsensical, and widely informed by misinformation about waste and fraud. The agency gutted government services that benefit the less fortunate, including all but eliminating the United States Agency for International Development. Some have estimated that the cuts have already resulted in 300,000 deaths, with over two-thirds of those being children.
Trump continued to lavish praise on Musk’s work during the press conference on Friday. “Elon’s service to America has been without comparison in modern history,” he said.
From Rolling Stone US
