Elon Musk appeared alongside President Trump for a press convention within the Oval Workplace Friday, maybe for the final time, with a noticeable black eye that he says he acquired from his younger son.
”I stated, ‘Go forward, punch me within the face.’ And he did,” he stated.
Musk has been feeling the blows, too. Sources within the Trump administration instructed Reuters that the billionaire has been “exhausted and exasperated,” particularly by the blowback in opposition to his firms. Tesla’s board reportedly initiated a seek for a substitute CEO, a declare the administrators have denied.
However in his Oval Workplace go to, Musk tried to forged 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 tip of DOGE, however actually the start,” he stated, carrying a t-shirt that stated “The Dogefather”. “The DOGE staff will solely develop stronger over time. The DOGE affect will solely develop stronger. I liken to a kind of Buddhism. It’s like a lifestyle.”
“This isn’t the tip of DOGE, however actually the start.”
Musk claimed that over time, the group would have the ability to obtain his acknowledged aim of $1 trillion of funding cuts — even whereas falling far in need of that. DOGE slashed $160 billion thus far, Musk stated, however specialists imagine the actual quantity is considerably decrease. And DOGE’s legacy of firings and rehirings, its use of paid administrative depart, and the related lack of productiveness might have really value the federal government upwards of $135 billion, in keeping with the Partnership for Public Service.
After delivering a rambling introduction, Trump thanked Musk for his service and introduced him with a golden key emblazoned with the White Home insignia. He additionally forged doubt on those that are hoping that Musk could be using off into the sundown for good.
“Elon gave an unimaginable service. No one like him,” Trump stated. “And he needed to undergo the slings and the arrows, which is a disgrace as a result of he’s an unimaginable patriot.”