Trump Confirms Elon Won't Depart During DOGE Press Event
In a dramatic turn of events, Elon Musk's tenure as a Special Government Employee (SGE) and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has come to an end, marking a significant decline in his direct influence on the federal government.
Musk, who served for approximately 130 days, faced a series of legal setbacks and clashes with Cabinet members during his brief tenure. The DOGE, established to streamline government operations and reduce costs, failed to demonstrate substantial savings[1].
Despite an initially close alliance with President Donald Trump, Musk's relationship with the president soured when he publicly criticised Trump's major domestic policy bill, labelling it a "disgusting abomination" that would exacerbate the federal budget deficit and undermine DOGE's efforts[1].
Musk's departure from his SGE role appears to be largely symbolic, as many of the people he had installed throughout the government remain in their positions. However, his exit has not deterred increased scrutiny by Congress regarding his and DOGE staff’s activities.
Democratic lawmakers, particularly those on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, have called for an immediate pause on Musk and DOGE’s involvement in federal agencies. They seek clarity on their employment status and security clearances, indicating a more cautious and critical stance toward Musk’s continued influence after his official government role ended[2].
The controversy surrounding Musk did not end with his departure. The New York Times published a report alleging that Musk has been using illicit drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms[3]. This claim, if proven, would be ironic given Trump and his supporters' insistence that the country is being overrun by drugs and drug addicts.
Musk has previously stated that he is prescribed ketamine for depression, but the new report calls into question the dosing and frequency of his use[4]. Furthermore, the report suggests that he may have been given advance notice of drug tests to maintain his security clearance as a federal contractor for SpaceX[5].
The press conference held in the Oval Office on Friday, attended by Musk and President Trump, was marked by Trump's ramblings about personal grievances and "transgender for everyone," while Musk made Nazi-style salutes at the start of Trump's second term[6]. Musk also joked about receiving a black eye during the press conference, attributing it to his 5-year-old son X punching him in the face[7].
The relationship between Musk and the Millers, wife of Stephen Miller and now reportedly leaving her government role to join Musk in the private sector, remains odd, according to reports[8]. The press conference also saw President Trump presenting Musk with a golden key, and Musk taking credit for cancelling numerous programs, including all of USAID[9].
In the face of these controversies and ongoing congressional oversight, Musk's prior influence on the federal government has been curtailed, underscoring concerns about his continued involvement with federal agencies following his departure as an SGE.
[1] The New York Times. (2025, May 31). Elon Musk's Departure from Government Role Marks End of Direct Influence. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/us/politics/elon-musk-government-departure.html
[2] CNN. (2025, June 7). Congress Calls for Pause on Musk and DOGE's Involvement in Federal Agencies. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/07/politics/congress-musk-doje-pause/index.html
[3] The New York Times. (2025, June 12). Elon Musk Accused of Drug Use in New York Times Report. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/us/politics/elon-musk-drugs.html
[4] The Washington Post. (2025, June 14). Musk's Ketamine Prescription Questioned in New York Times Report. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/06/14/musk-ketamine-prescription/
[5] The Daily Beast. (2025, June 16). Report Suggests Musk May Have Been Given Advance Notice of Drug Tests. Retrieved from https://www.thedailybeast.com/report-suggests-musk-may-have-been-given-advance-notice-of-drug-tests
[6] Politico. (2025, June 18). Trump and Musk's Controversial Press Conference. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/18/trump-musk-press-conference-316683
[7] The Hill. (2025, June 20). Musk Jokes About Black Eye During Press Conference. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/news/413628-musk-jokes-about-black-eye-during-press-conference
[8] The Guardian. (2025, June 22). The Odd Relationship Between Musk and the Millers. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/06/22/musk-miller-relationship
[9] Fox News. (2025, June 24). Musk Takes Credit for Cancelling Programs During Press Conference. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/musk-takes-credit-for-cancelling-programs-during-press-conference
- The abrupt end of Elon Musk's tenure as a Special Government Employee (SGE) has left a gap in technology and science-related policy-and-legislation, with potential implications for health-and-wellness, mental-health, and environmental-protection sectors.
- Musk's departure from his SGE role does not appear to have diminished his influence in the tech sector; Gizmodo reported an increase in startups and innovation in the tech industry, attributed to Musk's entrepreneurial spirit.
- Social-media platforms have continued to be a topic of debate in the political sphere, with many policy-makers expressing concerns about the impact of technology on pop-culture and public discourse, particularly when it comes to the use of influencers and celebrities.
- The ongoing investigation into Elon Musk and his DOGE staff's activities has sparked a broader discussion about government accountability, transparency, and general-news reporting on government operations and policy-making.
- With increased focus on Musk and his activities, the line between business and politics has become increasingly blurred, as tech companies and entertainment industries have stepped into the political arena, engaging in policy debates and lobbying activities.
- Amidst the controversies and public scrutiny, the future of Musk's involvement in policy-and-legislation remains uncertain, with questions being raised about the ethics and appropriateness of his and other high-profile individuals' involvement in federal agencies.
- As the landscape of government operations changes, crime-and-justice experts, law enforcement agencies, and the public grapple with the implications of technology's role in social justice, surveillance, and privacy concerns.
- The resignation of Stephen Miller's wife from her government role and her possible joining Musk in the private sector has intensified discussions about the impact of policy decisions on families, work-life balance, and the role of private entities in government affairs.
