Trump set to hold media event with Elon Musk at the White House
NBC3 days
Musk Officially Exits DOGE Role as Trump Touts $1T Savings Target
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk shake hands during a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, May 30, 2025. Image copyright: Francis Chung/Contributor/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Musk went into DOGE with the purest of intentions, and while he realized that you can't overhaul the government the same way you can a company, his legacy will certainly inspire Republicans to codify his spending cuts into law. Thanks to a billionaire electric car CEO, the American people are now aware of how deep the government bureaucracy runs, and Trump can use this to expand upon his promises to gut it.
Democratic narrative
Musk went to Washington to turn the U.S. government into his next plaything, and like so many things he touches, it got worse. Instead of saving tax dollars, Musk's endeavor likely cost Americans over $100 billion, while simultaneously gutting vital foreign aid. After stripping funds from struggling people around the world, Musk has proven himself to be an out-of-touch, elitist billionaire.