Kathrine Frich
His contract was limited to a 130-day contract
Elon Musk was met with resounding applause during a Cabinet meeting as President Donald Trump commended his service at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“You’ve opened up a lot of eyes,” Trump said. “We just want to thank you very much.” The moment capped Musk’s high-profile but temporary government role.
A Temporary Role with Lasting Impact
Musk’s tenure as DOGE’s frontman began on Inauguration Day, January 20, under a limited 130-day contract as a “special government employee.”
The role allowed him to target waste, fraud, and inefficiency across federal agencies. According to ethics guidelines, his term is set to expire on May 30.
Trump Invites Musk to Stay, But Time is Running Out
“You’re invited to stay as long as you want,” Trump said, though acknowledging Musk’s desire to return to “his cars and his family.”
While technically on his way out, the President made it clear that Musk’s contributions were deeply valued by the administration.
$160 Billion in Savings and Counting
During the meeting, Musk claimed DOGE has already saved the U.S. government $160 billion.
“The American people voted for secure borders, safe cities, and sensible spending,” he said. “A tremendous amount has been accomplished, more than in any administration before.”
DOGE: A Government Efficiency Experiment
DOGE is a temporary cross-agency initiative created by Trump to streamline federal operations.
Set to be dissolved by July 4, 2026, the program represents an unconventional but high-profile experiment in bureaucratic overhaul.
A Billionaire in a Borrowed Role
Musk, already CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, was brought in as a “special government employee,” a title designed for experts hired temporarily for federal projects.
He managed his duties remotely in recent weeks, communicating by phone rather than appearing at the White House.
White House Confirms Remote Status
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles confirmed that Musk has not been on-site recently, though she stressed his influence hasn’t waned.
“He hasn’t been here physically, but it really doesn’t matter much,” she said. “It’s the same net effect.”
Double Trump Hats and a Dose of Humor
True to form, Musk injected some levity by donning two Trump hats at once.
“Mr. President, they say I wear a lot of hats,” he quipped. “Even my hat has a hat.”
The moment brought laughter during an otherwise formal meeting.
A Close Ally of Trump
Musk endorsed Trump’s 2024 run back in July and has remained one of the administration’s most vocal supporters.
His alignment with Trump’s economic and regulatory goals has shaped his approach to DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures.
DEI Cuts and Cultural Backlash
One of DOGE’s most controversial moves was slashing over $100 million in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) funding from the Department of Education.
The decision drew both applause and outrage, fueling protests at Tesla dealerships and criticism from progressive groups.
Wrapping Up With a Trillion-Dollar Target
Asked whether he would stay beyond his 130-day term, Musk told Fox News in March:
“I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame.”
Trump, meanwhile, remains hopeful: “I’ll keep him as long as I can.”