Trump Farewells Musk, Praises Him as 'World's Greatest Innovator'

Billionaire Musk officially stepped down as a special employee of the Department of Government Efficiency and a presidential advisor, ending a short but controversial 120-day public service career. President Trump held a press conference at the White House on the 30th to farewell him, calling Musk his “friend and advisor” forever.

Trump said Musk is “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators in the world” and noted that Musk will continue to provide cost-cutting advice to his administration.

Trump said that Musk “isn't really leaving” and “will occasionally be back.”

Musk stated that his end as a special government employee does not mean the end of the Department of Government Efficiency, “but rather the real beginning.”

He said: “If there is anything any president would like me to do, I am always at the president's service.”

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reestablished by Trump upon his return to the White House, seeks to significantly reduce government expenditure, including mass layoffs. Musk was recognized as the de facto leader of this department and has frequently visited the White House and appeared alongside Trump over the past few months, including participating in multiple cabinet meetings.

However, in a recently broadcasted interview, Musk criticized Trump’s tax cut plan, stating that it was too costly and could affect his collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency. Soon after, news emerged of him stepping down from the government post.

Musk appeared in all black alongside Trump at the White House's Oval Office press conference, wearing a black cap with the DOGE logo. Media at the scene noticed a noticeable bruise on the corner of Musk’s right eye. According to foreign media reports, he explained that it was caused by playing around with his 5-year-old son, X, when his son accidentally punched him.

AFP: Their Rift Started Mid-March

According to foreign reports, the timing of Musk stepping down from his government position coincided with his growing disillusionment with his role in promoting spending cuts. The tech mogul has been frequently seen alongside Trump in the past few months but had long started to retreat behind the scenes, focusing instead on his private space exploration technology company (SpaceX) and Tesla electric vehicles business.

The 53-year-old Musk has been the biggest backer of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, becoming Trump’s confidant since then, breaking the prediction that two such egos could never come together.

Brookings Institution’s Kamak told AFP that the real rift “started in mid-March during several meetings held in the Oval Office and the Cabinet meeting room, where Musk had disputes with others.”