Elon Musk Bows Out of Trump Administration with Black Eye, Vows to Stay “Friend and Adviser”
By Chris Williams
Elon Musk bid a theatrical farewell to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday, sporting a visible black eye, brushing off allegations of drug abuse, and affirming his intention to remain a “friend and adviser” to the president. The send-off marked the end of Musk’s 130-day role leading the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
A Dramatic Send-Off
The event was anything but low-key. Trump praised Musk’s “incredible service,” presenting him with a golden key to the White House and declaring him “really not leaving” the administration. According to Trump, Musk would remain “back and forth” in Washington, describing DOGE as “his baby.”
Musk, wearing a “Dogefather” T-shirt and a trademark black cap, reiterated the ambition behind DOGE. He pledged steadfast support for its mission to slash government waste, aiming to eventually reach $1 trillion in savings—a target he admitted would take time to fully realise.
The Black Eye: Innocent Explanation, High Drama
The most striking visual? A swollen black eye. Musk quipped that he’d asked his five-year-old son, X Æ A‑Xii, to punch him and received more than he bargained for. Despite generating headlines, the story provided a rare moment of levity during an otherwise controversial appearance.
Drug Allegations and Defiant Response
The mood shifted as reporters grilled Musk about a New York Times story alleging he used ketamine, ecstasy, and mushrooms during the 2024 campaign. The Times even reported bladder damage linked to ketamine use. Musk dismissed the claims, calling the Times “lies” and rhetorically asking, “Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate?” Trump’s office echoed the deflection, referring to “the drugs that we’re concerned about… running across the southern border.”
DOGE: Bold Promises vs. Measured Results
Launched via Executive Order 14158 on 20 January 2025, DOGE set out with sweeping ambitions to modernise government, cut red tape, reduce unnecessary federal spending, and harness Musk-style “move fast and break things” overhaul.
Yet results were mixed. Musk’s initial promise of $2 trillion in savings was quickly revised to $1 trillion. By his exit, DOGE claimed $160–175 billion saved—but watchdogs raised red flags. Independent analyses estimate gains as low as $2–12 billion, while watchdogs projected net losses due to rehiring, legal expenses, and reduced productivity.
The agency’s methods proved polarising: mass layoffs affecting roughly 260 000 federal roles, dismantling of agencies like USAID, and deep cuts in foreign aid. Reformers applauded the “most sweeping and consequential government reform programme in generations,” while critics condemned its ideological fervour, legal challenges, and alleged misuse of sensitive data.
DOGE’s Departure and Continuing Legacy
Musk’s 130-day term as a special government employee legally ended on 30 May 2025. Though he relinquished his formal duties, Trump made it clear that DOGE would persist and that Musk’s influence remained intact. The Pentagon, for instance, discontinued DOGE’s controversial weekly “What Did You Do?” email check-ins following Musk’s departure.
Many DOGE officials will stay on, and Musk reportedly continues to offer informal guidance. Trump emphasised that making the cuts permanent will require congressional support.
Opposition Response and Public Backlash
DOGE’s tenure triggered widespread dissent:
- Democratic figures like Rep. Jasmine Crockett condemned the cuts, claiming “millions” of federal jobs were lost and accusing Musk of redirecting contracts to SpaceX.
- Activist campaigns—#TeslaTakedown and protests across the US, UK, Canada, and Europe—targeted Musk’s companies. Some Tesla dealerships faced vandalism amid growing calls to divest and boycott.
- Public opinion polls varied: one indicated 39% of Americans disapproved of DOGE, with concerns about Musk’s access to federal data; 71% of young Americans disapproved; others feared privacy violations and unchecked executive power.
Musk’s influence within government raised constitutional questions, particularly as a foreign-born billionaire wielding extraordinary access and control without Senate confirmation. Critics warned of an erosion of democratic accountability
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