Trump Honors Elon Musk With Golden Key to the WH for Slashing Government Waste [WATCH]

President Donald Trump awarded Elon Musk a ceremonial gold key to the White House on Friday, marking the conclusion of Musk’s 130-day service as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The press conference, held in the Oval Office, recognized Musk for his contributions to a broad initiative aimed at identifying and eliminating government waste, fraud, and abuse.

.@POTUS presents @elonmusk with a gold White House key as a gift for his service as a special government employee. pic.twitter.com/vmpp3RcSTm

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 30, 2025

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Trump praised Musk as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced” and said the billionaire executive brought “very smart people” to Washington to lead a government reform effort of historic scale.

“Elon has worked tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations,” Trump said.

“You know the kinds of things that he’s found, and his people have found — he’s brought a group of very smart people in — and they found things that are pretty unbelievable.”

.@POTUS praises @elonmusk‘s work on DOGE: “Elon’s delivered a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington.” pic.twitter.com/V9UQTLygHD

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 30, 2025

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During the event, Trump acknowledged the criticism Musk faced during his time at DOGE, saying the entrepreneur endured “slings and arrows” but that the “vast majority” of the country appreciates his efforts.

Musk, who appeared with a visible black eye and wore a shirt featuring the phrase “Dogefather,” expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his ongoing commitment to the project.

“The DOGE team will only grow stronger over time. The DOGE influence will only grow stronger. It’s, I’d liken it to a sort of Buddhism. It’s like a way of life. So, it is permeating throughout the government,” Musk said.

🚨 ELON MUSK: “The DOGE team will only grow stronger over time, the DOGE influence will only grow stronger. It’s like a way of life, throughout the government, and i’m confident that over time, we will see a trillion dollars of savings and reduction in waste & fraud.” pic.twitter.com/ychgBgG0PA

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) May 30, 2025

Musk provided a breakdown of the department’s estimated fiscal impact, stating that DOGE’s current findings show over $160 billion in savings projected between fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

While Musk’s formal government role concludes under the special employee provision limiting service to 130 days, both he and Trump confirmed that he would remain engaged in an advisory capacity.

“I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and adviser to the president,” Musk said.

“I look forward to times being back in this amazing room.”

Trump echoed those remarks. “He’s really not leaving; he’s going to be back and forth, I think. It’s his baby, and I think he’s going to be doing a lot of things.”

Trump: “Elon’s really not leaving. He’s going to be back and forth, I think. I have a feeling. It’s his baby, and I think he’s going to be doing a lot of things.”

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 30, 2025

During the question-and-answer portion of the press conference, Musk responded sharply to a question from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy referencing a report from The New York Times.

Musk criticized the newspaper’s history on coverage of the Russia investigation.

“The New York Times, is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russiagate? Is it the same organization?” Musk asked.

Turning to Trump, he added, “I think it is.”

Musk continued, “I think the judges ruled against the New York Times for their lies about the Russiagate hoax, and that they might have to give back that Pulitzer Prize. That New York Times? Let’s move on.”

MUST WATCH: @elonmusk COOKS the Fake News New York Times in the Oval Office: 🔥 pic.twitter.com/b3Q15uXPsd

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 30, 2025

The Department of Government Efficiency was established earlier this year under President Trump’s direction as part of a broader push to streamline federal operations and reduce taxpayer burden.

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