Elon Musk appeared alongside President Trump for a press convention within the Oval Office Friday, maybe for the final 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 informed 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.
But in his Oval Office 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. But 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 workforce 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 top of DOGE, however actually the start.”
Musk claimed that over time, the group would be capable of obtain his said purpose of $1 trillion of funding cuts — even whereas falling far wanting that. DOGE slashed $160 billion so far, Musk mentioned, however consultants consider the actual 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 could have truly price the federal government upwards of $135 billion, based on 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 House 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. Nobody 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.”
