Musk Will Remain Close Adviser, Says Trump After Tesla Chief Quits Govt

Elon Musk stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after a 4-month tenure marked by significant job cuts and spending reductions.

Despite falling short of initial goals and facing criticism, Trump praised Musk's work and emphasised his continued advisory role.

Source : X

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that billionaire Elon Musk would remain a close adviser as the Tesla CEO quit his government after a chaotic four-month stint leading the administration's sweeping cost-cutting campaign. 

Musk was appointed the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which has eliminated thousands of jobs and cancelled billions of dollars in spending. 

During a farewell event in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump lauded Musk's work as the DOGE head, though the department has so far fallen short of Musk's lofty initial promises, reported Reuters.

"Elon is really not leaving. He's going to be back and forth," said the US President from behind the Resolute Desk, while Musk stood to his right, wearing a black DOGE hat and a T-shirt that read "The Dogfather" in the style of the movie "The Godfather." 

Earlier this week, Musk announced that he had quit the administration at the end of his 130-day mandate as a special government employee, which was set to expire around May 30. 

The billionaire CEO exerted significant influence during the first few weeks of Trump's term. His department upended the federal bureaucracy, dismantling agencies, shutting down long-standing programmes and issuing sweeping mandates with little warning, leading to tens of thousands of layoffs. 

However, that influence at the White House diminished over time amid complaints from cabinet members about his approach. Simultaneously, he faced mounting pressure from shareholders concerned that his expanding political role was becoming a liability for his company. 

The Friday event at the White House was intended as a show of unity after Musk prompted frustration among White House officials this week by criticising Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill as too expensive. 

Musk was presented with a large golden key inside a wooden box by Trump bearing his signature, a gift he said he reserved only for "very special people".

"He had to go through the slings and arrows, which is a shame because he's an incredible patriot," Trump said.