- Elon Musk, sporting a black eye, leaves the Trump administration after leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut billions in federal spending.
- President Trump lists dozens of savings Musk helped achieve across multiple government agencies and praises his efforts to reduce waste.
- Musk promises DOGE will continue growing, and Trump hints Musk will remain involved in government efficiency projects.
Elon Musk surprised many when he showed up at the White House on Friday with a visible black eye. This event marked his farewell after working 130 days with the Trump administration. People noticed right away that Musk looked different than usual. The injury stood out during the Oval Office gathering, raising questions about how he got hurt. Musk did not hide the mark. Instead, he openly joked about it, saying, “I’ve got a little shiner here.” His appearance sparked curiosity among reporters and social media users.
Musk Explains How His Son Gave Him the Black Eye
When asked about the injury, Musk gave a surprising but lighthearted answer. He said he wasn’t injured abroad or in any accident. Instead, he was “horsing around” with his son, Little X. Musk asked his son to punch him in the face, and his son did so. The playful moment left Musk with the black eye. Musk made sure to clarify he was nowhere near France during the incident, joking about a recent story involving the French president. This explanation put many concerns to rest, showing Musk’s injury came from a harmless family moment.
Musk’s Black Eye Seen Earlier During Mars Presentation
Photos of Musk’s black eye appeared a day before the farewell event. These images came from a different occasion when Musk spoke about SpaceX’s ambitious plans to land humans on Mars. He wants to make life multiplanetary and bring people to other planets. Musk’s black eye did not stop him from discussing these big goals. He answered questions from reporters about the difficulty of colonizing Mars compared to fixing government inefficiencies. His focus remained on innovation despite his visible injury.
Musk Says Colonizing Mars Is Harder Than Fixing Government
During the Mars presentation, a reporter asked Musk an interesting question: which task is harder — colonizing Mars or making the government efficient? Musk gave a thoughtful answer. He said both are tough, but colonizing Mars is the harder challenge. However, he added that making the government efficient still requires serious work and can save trillions of dollars. Musk believes that fixing government waste will benefit the country financially. He remains optimistic about both projects and the impact they could have on the future.
Musk’s Role Leading Government Efficiency Efforts
Musk served as a special government employee under the Trump administration. He worked with the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. His team spent about four months reviewing federal spending. They canceled unnecessary grants, contracts, and programs. Musk aimed to save $2 trillion in government spending. His role focused on reducing waste and improving how the government uses taxpayer money. Musk brought his tech experience to this task, hoping to make government faster and more cost-effective.
Trump Praises Musk, Lists Dozens of Savings Achieved
At the farewell, President Trump publicly praised Musk and the DOGE team. Trump listed dozens of specific savings Musk helped achieve across the federal government. He mentioned cuts in grants, ended contracts, and canceled programs that no longer served a purpose. Trump highlighted savings from major departments like Defense, Education, and Transportation. He explained that Musk’s team carefully reviewed every program to find ways to save money without harming essential services. Trump connected these savings to his broader “One Big Beautiful Bill” plan, which aims to cut $1.5 trillion in federal spending. He praised Musk for bringing fresh ideas and energy, saying the savings will reduce the national debt and help lower taxes.
Actual Government Savings Were Lower Than Planned
Despite the optimistic goal, the actual savings reported by DOGE were lower than expected. By Musk’s departure, the DOGE website showed $175 billion in savings. This equals about $1,087 saved per U.S. taxpayer. Although it is less than the $2 trillion goal, it still represents significant cost reductions. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Congress will include these savings in future budgets. The numbers show progress but also highlight the challenges of cutting government spending quickly.
Musk’s Farewell Outfit and Change in Demeanor
For his farewell event, Musk wore a black “Dogefather” T-shirt and a matching “DOGE” hat. These items symbolized his role in the government efficiency project. However, Musk appeared more subdued than usual. He did not show his typical loud and energetic personality. Instead, he acted calm and low-key. This change surprised some attendees who expected his usual boisterous behavior. The black eye and his quiet mood made the farewell event feel different from Musk’s usual public appearances.
Social Media Questions How Musk Got Injured
After Musk’s appearance, social media users quickly noticed his black eye. Many speculated about how Musk got hurt. Some users asked directly, “What happened to Elon Musk’s eye?” Others joked that he might have been punched. Comments like “Did Elon get punched? That looks like a serious black eye” spread on the platform X. These reactions showed how quickly Musk’s injury became a topic of online discussion. Fans and critics alike shared their guesses before Musk’s explanation came out.
Trump Gives Musk a Special White House Key
During the farewell, President Trump honored Musk by giving him a key to the White House. This gesture is a rare and special honor. Trump had previously given a similar key to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The key symbolizes respect and recognition for Musk’s service. Trump used this moment to highlight Musk’s importance and contributions. It marked a formal sendoff and showed appreciation for Musk’s efforts in government.
Musk Says DOGE Is Just Getting Started
Musk told reporters that his departure does not mean the end of DOGE. He promised that the team will grow stronger and continue its work. Musk remains committed to improving government efficiency. He hinted that he will keep working with the administration, moving back and forth as needed. Trump agreed and said, “He’s going to be back and forth. I’ve got a feeling.” Both men signaled that Musk’s involvement is far from over.