President Donald Trump has finally spoken out following Elon Musk’s resignation as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
With his longtime ally stepping away from his political role, many were eager to hear the President’s reaction. However, the 78-year-old remained silent for nearly a full day before addressing the news.
Speculation about a rift between the two had been circulating for some time. Once close during the early months of Trump’s return to the Oval Office, their relationship was said to have cooled significantly. As for Musk’s departure from the administration, it came as little surprise.
Musk had served in a unique capacity within the government as a “special government employee”—a designation that allowed him to contribute for up to 130 days per year.
However, his resignation came three days early, and only one day after he criticized Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’.
Elon Musk had been working under a distinct role as a ‘special government employee’ prior to his exit (Yuri Gripas for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Speaking to CBS in a preview clip that aired on Tuesday (May 27), Musk said: “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill frankly, which increases the budget deficit not just decrease it, and undermines the work that the Doge team is doing.
“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful… but I don’t know if it could be both, my personal opinion.”
The bill devised an increased in defense spending, including Trump’s ambition to implement a ‘Golden Dome’ above the US, which would protect it from enemy missiles, as well as multi-trillion dollar tax breaks.
However, as Musk mentioned, it undermined his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – with the new legislation could could increase government spending by around $600 billion in the next fiscal year.
President Donald Trump is set to give Musk a fare well later today (May 30), from the Oval Office (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Regardless, of any friction between the couple, Trump looks set to give Musk a proper send off for his involvement in helping him reclaim the White House.
Taking to Truth Social, the president posted: “I am having a Press Conference tomorrow at 1:30 P.M. EST, with Elon Musk, at the Oval Office.
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific! See you tomorrow at the White House.”
Yes, the pair are set to say fare well later today on May 30 – which is much better way for the world’s richest man to depart, with Trump only having posted a cryptic message hours after news broke that Musk was leaving politics.
Posting a meme to his account, it pictured Trump walking in the middle of a darkened street at night, captioned: “He’s on a mission from God & nothing can stop what is coming.”
As for Musk himself, he announced his departure on his social media platform, Twitter – which he rebranded to 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,” he posted.
“The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
