Elon Musk exits the White House with a black eye and Trump’s thanks

Elon Musk concluded his 130-day tenure as a special government employee at the White House with a visible black eye, which he attributed to his young son. Despite the minor injury, Musk vowed to continue his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role President Trump praised for its innovative contributions to national service. Musk's time in government was marked by significant controversy, including federal agency layoffs and lawsuits challenging program cuts. His involvement in political campaigns also made him a target for Democrats. Although Musk fell short of his ambitious goal to find trillions in DOGE cuts, he stated that the initiative is still in its early stages and expects to achieve $1 trillion in savings over time. He criticized his political opponents, particularly the Left, for what he perceived as misplaced empathy and judicial overreach that hinders cost-cutting measures. Musk also defended himself against allegations of drug use, dismissing a New York Times report as false. The farewell press conference, largely dominated by Trump, concluded with Musk being presented with a special White House gold key, symbolizing his continued, albeit unofficial, involvement with the administration's initiatives.