LIVE: Trump and Musk Hold Oval Office Press Conference on DOGE Transition

Event Overview

President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk addressed the press to mark Musk’s final day as official head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The department was established to root out waste in federal spending and has reportedly uncovered up to $175 billion in potential savings. While Musk’s formal government role is ending, both he and Trump suggested he will continue to serve in an informal advisory capacity.

Key Statements & Developments

Musk “Not Really Leaving”

Trump repeatedly emphasized that Musk will remain involved with DOGE unofficially, saying, “It’s his baby.” Musk echoed this, stating he will continue to serve the president “whenever” needed and expects to visit the White House often.

DOGE Savings Claims

• Estimated Savings: $175 billion to date (per DOGE’s own website), though independent analysis suggests only $44 billion has documented support.
• Original Target: Musk initially promised $2 trillion in cuts; this was later revised to $150 billion by end of FY 2026.
• Ongoing Scrutiny: BBC Verify found only about a quarter of the claimed savings are backed by documentation. Several line items, including the cancellation of a $20 million USAID program (labeled “Arab Sesame Street” by Trump), are factually murky.

DOGE to Continue Post-Musk

Trump confirmed DOGE would remain operational, with unnamed agency liaisons and private-sector consultants expected to lead efforts moving forward. The official sunset date is July 2026, but Trump and Musk hinted it could be extended.

Presentation of a “Golden Key”

In a ceremonial gesture, Trump awarded Musk a large gold key in a wooden box, calling him one of the “most important reformers” in modern U.S. history.

Notable Quotes

• Trump on Musk’s Impact: “One of the greatest business leaders the world has ever produced.”
• Musk on Government Cuts: “Many times we can’t even find anyone to defend some expenses.”
• Musk on Staying Involved: “I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and advisor of the president.”

Additional Highlights

• Press Room Tension: Musk brushed off a Fox News question about alleged drug use during the campaign, dismissing it with a jab at the New York Times.

When asked about his black eye, Musk explained that he got it while playing with his son, X. “I said, ‘Go ahead and punch me in the face,’ and he did,” Musk recounted. “Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually does this. I didn’t really feel much at the time, but I guess it bruised up.” Trump, for his part, mentioned several times that he hadn’t even noticed the black eye.

• Trump’s Talking Points: The president reiterated familiar claims about eliminating ISIS, improving the stock market, and reducing the trade deficit through tariffs.
• Trade & Manufacturing: Later today, Trump will travel to Pittsburgh to announce a steel partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, part of his broader industrial policy push.

“You Can’t Have a Judge in Boston Running Foreign Policy”: Trump Rails Against Court Overreach

Journalist:
“So many of the things that you are trying to do are held up in court right now. If the courts are gonna have so much influence on U.S. policy, do you wish you would’ve just become a judge instead?”

Trump:
“Yeah, well, look, it wasn’t meant to be that way. If you look at the Founders, the president had certain powers. You had three groups, and they all had — supposed to be — pretty equal powers. But you can’t have a judge in Boston running foreign policy and places all over the country because he is a radical left person. That’s what the executive branch is for. You have checks and balances, but we had millions of people pour into our country — many, many criminals poured into our country. Murderers… murderers. Mental institutions from all over the world being emptied out into our country.”

Fact Check:
There is no verified evidence that foreign governments are systematically emptying mental institutions or prisons and sending individuals to the United States. This claim has been repeated by Trump and others in past speeches but has not been substantiated by independent investigations or official data from immigration authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not track mental health diagnoses or criminal records from foreign institutions in this manner, and multiple fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact and AP, have previously rated similar statements as false or misleading.