Musk to Trump at farewell: "I will remain involved as a friend and advisor to the president."

LondonOne hundred and thirty days after Donald Trump's arrival at the White House like a Sicilian horse, accompanied, among others, by a faithful Elon Musk, The CEO of Tesla, X and SpaceX, and the richest man in the world, has left, at least officially, the administration and, specifically, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the machinery that the Republican magnate has put in place to, allegedly, reduce the federal deficit and streamline spending. As a token of gratitude, Trump gave Musk a large gold key inside a wooden box, while reminding the audience that "I only give that to very special people."

The president, who found in the billionaire the most important source of income for his campaign and one of the main agitators at election rallies, bid farewell to his collaborator this Friday amidst all kinds of honors, with a press conference in the Oval Office. As is customary, it has become quite a spectacle. In this case, not one of bullying someone weaker, but of mutual self-congratulation. And when journalists asked thorny questions, he responded with a "no commentor a similar formula. Because Musk arrived at the White House this morning with information from the New York Times about their drug use and abuse"Let's move on to something else," he said, after listing some famous cases of journalistic blunders from the prestigious newspaper. moment. "Elon is fantastic! We'll see you tomorrow at the White House."

And they have seen each other, of course. Musk – "one of the most important business leaders and innovators the world has ever seen," in Trump's words – wearing a hat, punching the journalists in the eye: "There's nothing like a 5-year-old hitting you in the face," he joked. and a red tie, he gave his guest his ears: "Elon's service to the United States has been unparalleled in modern history," Trump told the businessman. at the time of assuming the presidency.

Because "when I left office," the president continued, "there were no wars, inflation was low, and we had rebuilt the military. When I came back, I found high inflation, conflict everywhere, and the shame of Afghanistan, the most humiliating moment in our history, I firmly believe." Undeterred, Trump has lied about many, if not all, points, and also or especially about this last one, since it was during his presidency. that the withdrawal of US troops was negotiated and approved, which enabled the return of the Taliban, now with Biden in the White House.

Of course, Trump's review of the milestones supposedly achieved by his faithful squire, who has played a "key role in the most profound reform of public administration in generations." Trump has highlighted that "under his leadership, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has dismantled antiquated processes, modernized some systems, and uncovered scandalous fraud and waste." For example, "one completely incredible case is that $8 billion was spent on producing genetically modified mice."

"Our goal is to make the DOGE cuts permanent and continue eliminating unnecessary expenses," he threatened. Since "DOGE is more than a program: it's a way of doing things. Its influence is growing, and with it, the savings. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, more than $160 billion in potential savings have been identified, and this figure continues to rise. It could soon exceed $200 billion."

Trump's new budget, however, prioritizes large cuts in international aid, social programs, and federal agencies, while increasing spending on defense and border security. And, despite the cuts, the budget does not eliminate the deficit, an issue that has also earned it more or less hidden criticism from Elon Musk. Furthermore, according to independent analysts, its accounts, and especially the tax cuts, will increase significantly reduce public debt in the next decadeMusk, on the other hand, expressed confidence that, "in time," he will be able to fulfill his promise that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will achieve a trillion-dollar cut in federal government spending.

Musk is leaving, but not so much, because his mark remains. As he himself has insisted. "DOGE will continue to do excellent work; I will remain involved as a friend and advisor to the president. And I look forward to returning soon to this wonderful room—the Oval Office—which has been completely renovated. It's beautiful. I love the gold details on the ceiling," he said, in further evidence of the banality that pervades. Banality and jokes have been combined with more or less explicit threats. Also answering questions from the press, Musk assured that the president could choose to extend the official completion date for DOGE, which is July of next year. Of course, Musk continues, as he assured, "in service to the president."