On May 30, 2025, President Donald Trump held a widely watched press conference in the Oval Office to mark the official end of Elon Musk’s tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But this wasn’t a quiet goodbye. From glowing praise and golden keys to constitutional debates and bruised eyes, the event touched on more than just policy. It gave Americans a chance to consider how the country balances innovation, executive power, and civic accountability.
Let’s walk through what happened, what it means, and why the consequences could last far longer than Musk’s short time in government.
Why This Moment Mattered
DOGE was created as a high-profile effort to slash federal spending and reform government operations. Elon Musk—a billionaire entrepreneur known for disrupting industries—was the face of it. For months, he worked inside Washington’s most secretive departments, wielding executive authority that some critics say went too far.
The May 30 press conference was framed as a farewell. But in truth, it marked a turning point in how the Trump administration is defending its approach to governance. The symbolism—the location, the spectacle, even the black eye Musk joked about—wasn’t just theater. It was a statement.
1. Musk Is “Not Really Leaving”
Although Musk formally ended his temporary position as a special government employee overseeing DOGE, both he and President Trump made clear this wasn’t a true goodbye. “Elon’s really not leaving,” Trump told reporters. “He’s gonna be back and forth. It’s his baby.”
Musk echoed this sentiment, saying he would continue to advise the president whenever needed. This suggests an ongoing informal role for the billionaire in federal affairs, even as he returns full-time to Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X.
2. DOGE’s Savings Are Real, But Murky
The Trump administration credited Musk with initiating a “colossal change” in how Washington spends money, pointing to a running tally of $175 billion in federal savings. Musk himself emphasized that these savings would “grow over time,” though he acknowledged many of DOGE’s targets would need congressional approval to be codified.
However, scrutiny of DOGE’s published data by BBC Verify revealed that less than half of the claimed savings were supported by itemized records, and only a quarter were linked to official documentation. Some examples, such as the defunding of an Iraqi early childhood program dubbed “Arab Sesame Street,” were criticized as misleading or lacking in context. This raises ongoing questions about transparency and accountability.
3. Trump Slams Judicial Overreach
In response to a reporter’s question about court challenges stalling parts of his agenda, Trump delivered a pointed rebuke of what he sees as excessive judicial interference.
“It wasn’t meant to be that way,” Trump said, referencing the U.S. Constitution. “You can’t have a judge in Boston running foreign policy. That’s what the executive branch is for.”
The statement ties into long-standing conservative concerns about unelected judges overriding presidential authority. Trump emphasized the imbalance this creates in times of crisis, particularly around immigration enforcement and national security.
4. Musk Responds to Drug Allegations, Offers Personal Glimpse
Musk was asked about a recent New York Times report alleging his use of ketamine and other substances while campaigning alongside Trump. He deflected the question by referencing a defamation ruling against the Times related to Russiagate reporting: “That New York Times? Let’s move on.”
In a lighter moment, Musk addressed a visible bruise near his eye, explaining it was the result of playing with his young son: “I said, ‘Go ahead and punch me in the face,’ and he did. Turns out even a five-year-old can bruise you.”
Additional Highlights
Golden Key Ceremony: Trump presented Musk with a ceremonial gold key in a wooden box, calling it a thank-you from the nation.
Praise for Government Reform: Trump called Musk “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced,” crediting him with leading “the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations.”
Agency Cuts: DOGE’s reach extended to agencies like USAID, which saw significant funding rollbacks. Researchers at Boston University have estimated that hundreds of thousands of people may have died globally as a result.
Unclear Legacy: Despite praise, Musk failed to meet his original goal of $1–2 trillion in cuts. His most recent target was $150 billion by 2026, with official tallies still being verified.
What the Constitution Tells Us
DOGE’s existence, and Musk’s role in it, sits at the edge of constitutional design. The Founders envisioned checks and balances—not sweeping executive power shaped by billionaires. Trump’s comments about courts overreaching, and Musk’s informal but ongoing influence, raise new questions about how executive authority is interpreted in today’s political environment.
The Emoluments Clause doesn’t apply here—Musk wasn’t accepting foreign gifts. But the broader principle is relevant: public trust depends on leaders acting with transparency and accountability. That’s where critics argue DOGE fell short.
The Trump-Musk press conference was a blend of ceremony, spin, and confrontation. It underscored Musk’s influence on reshaping federal priorities, even as it revealed the fragility of many of DOGE’s accomplishments. With constitutional debates over executive authority, judicial oversight, and public accountability looming large, Musk’s government experiment may be over—but the political consequences are just beginning.