Musk’s Farewell: Presidential Praise Can’t Mask Doge’s Shortfall

The Oval Office witnessed the exit of Elon Musk, the “special government employee” tasked with leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). His 138-day tenure, while lauded by President Trump, concluded without achieving the promised $2 trillion in government savings, leaving a sense of unmet expectations and disillusionment.
President Trump, in a unique move, ceded the spotlight to Musk, praising him as a prodigious innovator and business leader. This public endorsement, however, did little to obscure the reports of Musk’s plummeting popularity and the adverse impact on his primary company, Tesla, stemming from his controversial and often disruptive actions within the federal bureaucracy.
The briefing was further complicated by a report from a major news outlet alleging drug use by Musk and his opposition to a new tax bill. Despite Trump’s familiar denouncement of the media, Musk opted not to directly address or deny these significant claims, leaving a void that fueled public speculation and maintained a cloud of controversy around his departure.
A noticeable black eye on Musk’s face drew immediate media attention. His casual explanation—a playful punch from his five-year-old son—provided a moment of unexpected levity but also served as a subtle visual metaphor for the challenges and public backlash he faced during his brief, but impactful, time in Washington. His parting shot at the left solidified his contentious image.