Three takeaways: Trump and Elon have a long Oval Office goodbye -- for now

WASHINGTON — The Donald Trump-Elon Musk partnership ended much like it began, with plenty of mutual flattery and a little awkwardness — capped off by a surreal Oval Office send-off.

The president bid farewell to the tech billionaire on Friday with an hourlong media appearance to mark the end of his service as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role that drew howls from congressional Democrats about the office’s moves to wind down federal agencies and terminate thousands of federal jobs.

Trump and the former DOGE boss opened the afternoon White House event by lathering one another with praise. Considering how Musk’s chaotic stint as the federal government cutter was, perhaps it was fitting that reporters spent much of the session shouting over one another while peppering the duo with questions on a range of topics.

One asked about the French president seen getting pushed in the face by his wife. Another asked Musk why he had a dark bruise on his face, which he said was the result of a requested punch from his 5-year-old son. Musk also attacked The New York Times when asked about its report on his alleged drug use and other purported behaviors.

“To be with Elon — who’s my friend, and he’s done a fantastic job — he didn’t need this,” Trump said before alluding to some of the battles Musk found himself in during the past four months. “And we find out the government’s a little nasty on occasion.

“Elon has worked tirelessly, helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations,” Trump said a few moments later as he presented Musk with a large gold key in a wooden box.

Musk predicted that the “DOGE team will only grow stronger,” saying the office would gain, not lose, power in Washington after his departure.

“I think the DOGE team is doing an incredible job,” said Musk, who bounced and gyrated at times as he spoke in mumbled tones. “This is not the end of DOGE.”

The head of X, Tesla and SpaceX is expected to return to his private sector roles at month’s end, with his DOGE turn limited to that of a “special government employee,” a temporary classification given to individuals who work for a federal entity for a short time. Musk’s special employee status expires on Saturday.

Although there was some speculation around Washington that Trump might merely extend Musk’s stint or find another way to keep him at the forefront of DOGE, the billionaire has become something of a political liability for the president.

An April 18-20 poll conducted by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service found that 57 percent of American adults said the federal cuts pushed by Musk’s team would have a negative impact on the county while 32% said they would have a positive impact. While most Republican respondents (71%) said the changes have been positive and most Democrats (88%) called them negative, 63% of independents called the DOGE cuts negative.

Here are three takeaways from Musk’s Oval Office send-off:

‘Really not leaving’

Although Musk’s formal role leading DOGE has ended, the duo indicated he will continue to have Trump’s ear — and some kind of role in the administration’s policies.

“Elon’s really not leaving. He’s going to be going back and forth,” Trump said. “I think he’s going to be doing a lot of things.”

After all, Trump described the DOGE effort as Musk’s “baby.”

Musk himself signaled that he wants to have a role.

“I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and adviser to the president,” the tech mogul said. “I expect to continue providing advice whenever the president would like advice.”

Seated a few feet away behind the Resolute Desk, Trump said, “I hope so.”

‘Most do not make sense’

Musk, sporting a T-shirt under his suit and a black DOGE ball cap, described how he and his DOGE team went about reviewing the entire federal budget and decided which things to slash and burn.

“It’s mostly just a lot of hard work,” he said. “It’s going through, really, millions of line items and saying, ‘Does each one of them makes sense?’ Most do not make sense.”

Trump panned some of the government-funded programs that the DOGE office cut, including what he said was a nixed federal initiative to “make transgender mice.” Trump also said his administration is taking steps to bake the office’s cuts into the federal budget and operations.

“We’re totally committed to making the DOGE cuts permanent,” the president said, adding, “Most of it is going to come later.”

Musk was asked if his contentious time in government had been worth it.

“I think it was an important thing. I think it was a necessary thing. And I think it will have a good effect on the future,” he said.

‘Lower number’

With the Senate returning next week to take up a House-approved budget reconciliation measure, Trump said he would like senators to alter a key section of the massive bill.

He said he wants the measure to cut taxes even further than what was approved by the House.

The House-approved version of the “big, beautiful bill” would extend the 2017 tax cuts and decrease federal tax revenue by $4.5 trillion from 2025 through 2034, according to the Tax Foundation. Trump said Friday he wants the final bill to have a “lower number.”

“The bill is a great bill. It’s going to be jiggered around a little bit,” he said of the anticipated Senate changes to a measure on which much of his second-term agenda rides.

“It’s going to be negotiated with the Senate, with the House,” Trump said. “But the end result is it extends the Trump tax cuts. If it doesn’t get approved, you’ll have a 68% tax increase.”

Musk was asked about his recent criticism of the House’s budget reconciliation bill. He glanced several times at Trump, who has praised the chamber’s work, as he sidestepped the question.

About 15 minutes later, Trump dismissed the day’s White House press pool with his signature, “Thank you, everybody.” The scene evoked the song lyrics of legendary country music duo Brooks & Dunn, who once crooned, “All that’s happening here is a long goodbye.”

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