President Trump and Elon Musk marked Musk’s departure from DOGE, emphasising his ongoing affect because the advisory physique continues its mission to chop authorities waste and reform forms.
In a press convention held on the Oval Workplace Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk appeared collectively to mark Musk’s departure from the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), an unconventional advisory physique created by government order. Whereas Musk’s formal function is coming to an finish, each males emphasised that his involvement in Washington is way from over. Wishing Musk effectively on his final official day, Trump made it clear that this is not a full goodbye. “Elon’s not likely leaving,” the president stated. “He’ll be again typically — he’s a part of the crew and all the time shall be.”
“This isn’t the top of DOGE, however the starting,” Musk declared, as Trump offered him with a commemorative plaque for his service. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO stood beside the president, smiling as Trump hailed him as “a implausible buddy” and praised his tenure at DOGE for reducing “unbelievably silly and unbelievably unhealthy” waste throughout the federal authorities.
What’s DOGE? A radical method to authorities reform
Created in 2023, DOGE was tasked with figuring out inefficiencies in federal operations, notably concentrating on redundant applications and outdated techniques. Although not a proper authorities division — as solely Congress can set up these — DOGE has operated beneath an aggressive reform mandate.
Staffed largely by technocrats and entrepreneurs with minimal authorities expertise, DOGE rapidly gained a popularity for its daring strikes, together with mass layoffs, company closures, and program defunding. The group has been each praised for its cost-cutting efforts and criticised for its disruptive method.
Trump: ‘Elon did not want this’
“Elon didn’t want this,” Trump stated through the televised occasion. “He’s finished greater than anybody might have imagined. And he’s not likely going wherever — he’ll be backwards and forwards, serving to us all the way in which.”
Musk’s management at DOGE has been outlined by aggressive cost-cutting measures aimed toward decreasing federal expenditures. Trump credited him with terminating “numerous wasteful contracts” and indicated extra are beneath evaluation.
“You’ll see in six months, possibly a yr — the method will clear up much more,” Trump added.
A second of levity: Shares and sarcasm
Throughout the occasion, Trump briefly diverted consideration to a laptop computer taking part in a CNBC phase a few inventory market surge. “That is the results of the work we’re doing — fewer taxes, extra freedom, and smarter spending,” he stated.
In a lighter second, Trump quipped, “Authorities’s somewhat nasty from time to time.” Musk responded with a chuckle: “Yeah, at occasions.”
Disagreement over spending invoice downplayed
Although Musk lately criticised a Trump-supported spending invoice for undercutting a few of DOGE’s work, the 2 leaders offered a united entrance. Trump acknowledged the disagreement however downplayed its impression.
He defined that whereas the invoice consists of “some” cuts aligned with DOGE’s targets, “most” of the broader reform agenda will proceed individually.
DOGE continues, with or with out Musk
DOGE, slated to function by way of July 2026, will retain a lot of its present workers. Trump emphasised that the organisation’s mission will transfer ahead — and hinted that Musk’s involvement isn’t over. “It’s his child,” Trump stated. “He’s not strolling away.”
In a social media put up on Thursday, Trump previewed the occasion, writing, “This shall be his final day, however not likely, as a result of he’ll, all the time, be with us, serving to all the way in which. Elon is terrific!”
Nationwide debt and DOGE’s legacy
With the U.S. nationwide debt standing at $36 trillion, DOGE’s acknowledged mission — decreasing forms and saving taxpayer {dollars} — stays a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s coverage agenda heading into the 2026 midterms.
Musk: ‘This work issues’
Because the press convention wrapped up, Musk expressed delight in what DOGE had achieved and his perception in its long-term mission.
“This work issues,” he stated. “It’s about giving energy again to the individuals and ensuring authorities serves them, not the opposite method round.”
Trump on India-Pakistan Ceasefire
Regardless of official denials from New Delhi, US President Donald Trump has as soon as once more claimed that his administration performed a pivotal function in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan, which he stated might have escalated right into a nuclear battle. Talking at a current occasion, Trump acknowledged, “We stopped India and Pakistan from preventing. I imagine that would have was a nuclear catastrophe, and I wish to thank the leaders of India and Pakistan, and I wish to thank my individuals.” He added that america additionally emphasised the impression of potential battle on commerce relations: “We won’t commerce with people who find themselves taking pictures at one another and probably utilizing nuclear weapons.” Trump praised each nations’ management for understanding the stakes, saying the violence was halted because of this. “We’re stopping others from preventing too — as a result of in the end we are able to combat higher than anyone. We’ve the best navy on this planet,” he stated.