Elon Musk departs DC with a black eye and a tattered reputation

Elon Musk appeared alongside President Trump for a press convention within the Oval Workplace Friday, perhaps for the last time, with a noticeable black eye that he says he received from his younger son.

”I mentioned, ‘Go forward, punch me within the face.’ And he did,” he mentioned.

Musk has been feeling the blows, too. Sources within the Trump administration told Reuters that the billionaire has been “exhausted and exasperated,” particularly by the blowback in opposition to his corporations. Tesla’s board reportedly initiated a search for a replacement CEO, a declare the administrators have denied.

However in his Oval Workplace go to, Musk tried to solid his Washington adventures as largely profitable. He famous that as a particular authorities worker, he was statutorily restricted to 130 days within the place. However he vowed that even whereas he left his perch, DOGE will proceed its work.

“This isn’t the top of DOGE, however actually the start,” he mentioned, sporting a t-shirt that mentioned “The Dogefather”. “The DOGE group will solely develop stronger over time. The DOGE affect will solely develop stronger. I liken to a type of Buddhism. It’s like a lifestyle.”

Musk claimed that over time, the group would be capable to obtain his acknowledged objective of $1 trillion of funding cuts — even whereas falling far wanting that. DOGE slashed $160 billion thus far, Musk mentioned, however specialists believe the true quantity is considerably decrease. And DOGE’s legacy of firings and rehirings, its use of paid administrative go away, and the related lack of productiveness might have really price the federal government upwards of $135 billion, according to the Partnership for Public Service.

After delivering a rambling introduction, Trump thanked Musk for his service and offered him with a golden key emblazoned with the White Home insignia. He additionally solid doubt on those that are hoping that Musk can be driving off into the sundown for good.

“Elon gave an unimaginable service. No one like him,” Trump mentioned. “And he needed to undergo the slings and the arrows, which is a disgrace as a result of he’s an unimaginable patriot.”