Trump Teases Musk’s Last Day at DOGE, Signals Continued Influence

Elon Musk’s tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) wraps up on May 30, but President Trump hints the billionaire’s influence is far from over. In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump announced a 1:30 P.M. EST Oval Office press conference with Musk, saying, "This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way." Musk’s 130-day stint as a special government employee, mandated by law, concludes after a whirlwind of cost-cutting and controversy.

Launched on Inauguration Day via executive order, DOGE aimed to slash federal waste. Musk, reflecting on his role, posted on X: "I’m grateful to President Trump for the chance to curb wasteful spending." The initiative’s impact is undeniable—$175 billion in savings from asset sales, canceled contracts, and fraud crackdowns, equating to roughly $1,087 per taxpayer, per DOGE’s latest update.

Yet, Musk’s exit isn’t without drama. Congressional Democrats, like Rep. Melanie Stansbury, blasted his role as "reckless and illegal," accusing Trump of ceding governance to an unaccountable billionaire. Rep. Jasmine Crockett called him an "unelected official" meddling in the executive branch. Despite the backlash, the markets cheered Musk’s return to Tesla and SpaceX, with Tesla shares jumping 4.2% this week.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insists DOGE’s mission lives on, driven by Trump’s Cabinet and the president himself, who remains committed to rooting out "waste, fraud, and abuse." As Musk steps back, his shadow looms large over a government reshaped by his efficiency crusade.