MWE Correspondent
In a symbolic gesture marking the end of an unusual government partnership, U.S. President Donald Trump handed over a golden key to Elon Musk at a ceremony held at the White House on May 30, 2025.
The event marked Musk’s departure from his short-lived role at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known by its acronym, DOGE.
The department, a relatively recent initiative by the Trump administration, was set up to identify and eliminate waste in federal agencies. Musk, who served as a special government employee under this program for 130 days, had pledged to help the government save up to $2 trillion in expenditure. However, official figures suggest that actual savings hovered around $175 billion, falling far short of that ambitious goal.
Despite this, Trump praised Musk’s work, saying the tech mogul brought “colossal change” to Washington’s bureaucracy. “We’re not just cutting costs — we’re changing how Washington thinks,” Trump said during the event.
Musk’s time in DOGE was marked by swift and sometimes controversial actions. Among the most debated was the downsizing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which led to backlash from human rights and international development organizations. Critics say the cuts risk undermining America’s soft power abroad, while others argue the agency had long required reform.
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The legal framework of Musk’s involvement was also questioned. A recent federal ruling suggested that Musk’s influential role might violate the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which limits the president’s ability to install key officials without Senate confirmation.
In an unconventional closing remark, Musk compared DOGE to “a sort of Buddhism,” saying the role was centered on simplicity, discipline, and letting go of excess. “It wasn’t about power,” Musk added. “It was about efficiency, focus, and getting out of the way.”
Now stepping back into his business empire — which includes Tesla and SpaceX — Musk’s influence in government may not be over. Trump hinted that the billionaire could return as an advisor in a future administration.
“This isn’t goodbye,” Trump said. “It’s just the beginning of what’s next.”
The future of DOGE remains unclear, but for now, its bold experiment in federal reform closes with both controversy and celebration.
