President Trump has arranged a highly anticipated Oval Office press conference with Elon Musk as the billionaire entrepreneur's official government role comes to an end. In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump revealed plans for the media event while emphasizing that Musk's influence on his administration would continue.
According to the New York Post, the press conference will take place Friday at 1:30 p.m. EST in the Oval Office, marking Musk's final day as leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
"This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific!" Trump wrote, signaling that while Musk's formal role is ending, his influence on the administration will continue in some capacity.
Musk's departure comes as he reaches the legal 130-day limit for his "special government employee" designation, which began shortly after Trump's inauguration in January. The position was created through an executive order establishing DOGE on Trump's first day in office.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO acknowledged his departure on social media, posting on X: "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending." Musk added that "the @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced this message, emphasizing that DOGE's leadership extends beyond Musk to "each and every member of the President's Cabinet and the president himself, who is wholeheartedly committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government."
In just over four months, DOGE has reported substantial progress in its mission to eliminate government waste. The initiative's website claims $175 billion in savings through various measures, including asset sales, contract cancellations, and fraud payment crackdowns.
These cuts represent approximately $1,087 in savings per American taxpayer, according to DOGE's May 26 update. The department's influence has extended across multiple federal agencies and departments since its creation in January.
Despite these reported successes, Musk's role has faced significant opposition from Democrats in Congress, who have questioned both the legality and appropriateness of his position. During a February House Oversight hearing, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) called his influence "reckless and illegal" and accused Trump of "outsourcing governing to a billionaire who answers to no one."
Congressional Democrats have been vocal in their opposition to Musk's role in the administration. Beyond Rep. Stansbury's criticisms, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) warned that Musk was functioning as an "unelected official" inside the executive branch with unprecedented access and influence.
These concerns highlight the unusual nature of Musk's appointment and the significant power he has wielded in reshaping government operations during his brief tenure. Critics have questioned the constitutional implications of allowing a private citizen with extensive business interests to direct government policy.
Meanwhile, financial markets have responded positively to news of Musk's return to his private sector responsibilities. Tesla shares reportedly rose 4.2% this week following the announcement of his government exit, reflecting investor confidence in his renewed focus on his companies.
Musk has already signaled his intention to refocus on his business empire once his government service concludes. During a recent investor call, he reassured Tesla shareholders about his post-DOGE plans.
"Starting in June, I'll be allocating far more time to Tesla and SpaceX now that the groundwork at DOGE is in place," Musk told investors, likely contributing to the positive market response to his departure announcement.
The billionaire's time in government has required him to balance his private sector responsibilities with his public service role, creating potential conflicts that had concerned both government ethics watchdogs and investors in his companies. His departure from the official position may help alleviate some of these concerns.
