Trump awards Musk ‘key to White House’ as billionaire concludes DOGE role
The Trump White House released a video on Friday marking the end of Elon Musk’s time working with the administration. Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, had been leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since January. The video, which was posted on multiple social media platforms, is a highlight reel that showcases Musk’s journey from endorsing President Donald Trump in July 2024 to his last day in D.C.
In the video, viewers can see Musk receiving a golden key from President Trump in the Oval Office, symbolizing his contributions to the government efficiency efforts. The White House also published several posts thanking Musk for his service, highlighting the “DOGE Wins” achieved under his leadership. These wins include saving American taxpayers $170 billion, canceling approximately 523,000 active U.S. government credit cards/accounts, and cleaning up records at the Social Security Administration.
During a joint news conference on Friday, Trump awarded Musk a “key to the White House” and praised his unparalleled service to America. House Speaker Mike Johnson also commended Musk for his selfless and patriotic work in uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.
As Musk officially stepped down from DOGE, questions arose about the future of the department. However, the Trump administration reassured the public that DOGE will continue its efforts to streamline government operations even without Musk at the helm. Musk himself compared DOGE to a way of life, like Buddhism, suggesting that the department will persist with or without his direct leadership.
In a post on X just before leaving the White House, Musk expressed his intention to return to working tirelessly and sleeping in conference rooms, a stark contrast to his time in the Lincoln Bedroom. Despite his departure, Trump hinted that Musk’s influence would continue to be felt, stating that he will always be there to help.
As Musk transitions out of his role in the Trump administration, the legacy of his work with DOGE will continue to shape government efficiency efforts moving forward. The impact of his efforts to save taxpayer dollars and streamline operations will be felt for years to come.
