Trump praises Elon Musk as ‘brilliant’ and ‘patriot’ amid DOGE exit

Elon Musk’s Role at DOGE Praised by President Trump

Elon Musk may be stepping back from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but President Donald Trump is not backing down from his praise for the tech mogul. During an executive order signing in the Oval Office, Trump commended Musk for his intelligence and patriotism, defending his work on federal reform despite criticism from some quarters.

DOGE, which was launched in 2025, has been a key component of Trump’s second-term agenda to streamline federal agencies and implement private-sector principles into government operations. Musk’s informal advisory role in this effort has garnered both attention and backlash.

In response to concerns raised about Musk and his company Tesla, Trump expressed his support, stating, “He’s an incredible… brilliant guy. He was a tremendous help both in the campaign, and in what he’s done with DOGE.” He also addressed what he perceived as unfair treatment of Musk and Tesla, emphasizing their contributions to the country.

Despite recent challenges faced by Tesla, including a firebombing incident at a dealership in Kansas City and security threats in Europe, Trump continued to laud Musk’s achievements. He highlighted Musk’s aerospace work with SpaceX, noting the unique capabilities demonstrated by the company in rocket launches and landings.

In addition to Musk’s contributions to the automotive and aerospace industries, Trump praised his broader technological innovations, including the Starlink project and advancements in medical technology. He described Musk as a “great patriot” who produces high-quality products and performs groundbreaking work in various fields.

As Musk prepares to shift his focus back to his business empire, Trump expressed his desire to keep him involved in government initiatives. Despite some skepticism about the effectiveness of the Trump administration in managing federal operations, a recent Fox News poll showed that a majority of Americans believe DOGE will lead to greater government efficiency.

In conclusion, Trump reiterated his admiration for Musk’s capabilities and hoped for continued collaboration in the future. The tech mogul’s role in government reform has been a subject of both praise and criticism, but his contributions to innovation and efficiency have not gone unnoticed.

This article was written by Jasmine, a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans. For story submissions, please contact jasmine.baehr@fox.com.