Elon Musk appeared at the White House on Friday, May 30, sporting a noticeable black eye during his farewell ceremony as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. The Tesla CEO explained the injury resulted from rough-housing with his five-year-old son, X Æ A-12, telling reporters he had encouraged the child to punch him during play.
During the Oval Office event marking the end of his 130-day tenure as a special government employee, Musk initially joked about the bruise by saying he wasn’t anywhere near France, referencing a recent viral video of French President Emmanuel Macron’s wife appearing to shove him. When pressed for details, Musk explained he was horsing around with his son and said, “Go ahead, punch me in the face. And he did.”
President Donald Trump presented Musk with a large golden key emblazoned with the White House insignia during the ceremony, describing it as a thank you from the country. Trump praised Musk’s work leading the cost-cutting initiative, though he indicated the billionaire would continue advising the administration despite his formal departure from the government role.
The black eye drew immediate attention on social media platforms, with speculation about its origin coinciding with a New York Times report published the same day alleging extensive drug use by Musk during the 2024 presidential campaign. The report claimed Musk regularly consumed ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms, with sources indicating his ketamine use was frequent enough to cause bladder problems.
When a reporter attempted to question Musk about the drug allegations during the White House event, he deflected by criticizing the New York Times’ previous reporting on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Musk dismissed the inquiry and moved on without addressing the specific claims about his substance use while campaigning with Trump.
Musk’s departure from DOGE comes after a tumultuous five-month period during which he implemented significant cuts to federal agencies and the workforce. He claimed the initiative saved approximately $160 billion, though this figure falls far short of his initial promises of $2 trillion in savings during the campaign trail and $1 trillion pledged after Trump took office.
Critics have challenged the effectiveness of Musk’s cost-cutting measures, with some researchers suggesting the actual savings were significantly lower than claimed. The Partnership for Public Service estimated that the associated costs of firings, rehirings, administrative leave, and lost productivity may have actually cost the government upwards of $135 billion.
Despite his formal departure, both Trump and Musk emphasized that their collaboration would continue. Trump stated that Musk was not really leaving and would return to the White House periodically, describing DOGE as the billionaire’s baby. Musk declared the event marked not the end of DOGE but rather the beginning, comparing the initiative’s influence to a way of life that would permeate throughout the government.
The farewell ceremony also addressed other topics, including Trump offering marital advice to French President Macron regarding the viral video of his wife’s apparent shove. Trump suggested ensuring the door remains closed, though he downplayed the incident and described the Macrons as good people he knows well.
Musk’s time in Washington has been marked by controversy and declining public approval. His reputation has suffered during his government tenure, with a majority of U.S. residents expressing dislike for the billionaire, according to recent polling. His company Tesla has also faced challenges, recording its first year-over-year quarterly sales decrease in almost five years and losing market share in key countries globally.
The relationship between Trump and Musk appeared strained in recent days following Musk’s public criticism of Trump’s tax spending bill. Musk expressed disappointment with the legislation, claiming it undermined DOGE’s work and would add to the federal deficit. However, no signs of friction were evident during Friday’s ceremony, with Trump offering lavish praise for Musk’s contributions.
Musk appeared at the event wearing all black attire, including a DOGE baseball cap, jacket, and a t-shirt reading “The Dogefather.” He vowed to continue providing advice to Trump as a friend and adviser, while maintaining that DOGE’s influence would only grow stronger over time despite his departure from the formal government position.
The statutory limit for special government employees restricts their service to 130 calendar days per year, necessitating Musk’s departure from his official role. However, his continued involvement as an unofficial adviser suggests his influence on the administration’s efficiency initiatives will persist beyond his formal tenure at DOGE.