US President Donald Trump presented Elon Musk with a large ceremonial golden key on Friday during a farewell event at the White House. The gift marked the end of Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump described the key, kept in a brown box, as a special honor reserved for “very special people.” The event, held in the Oval Office, highlighted Trump’s appreciation for Musk and their unique working relationship during Musk’s time in public service.
Musk is stepping down from his government role to focus full-time on his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and the social platform X. Despite stepping down, both Trump and Musk suggested their collaboration will continue. Trump said, “He’s going to be back and forth, I imagine.” Musk, wearing a black outfit and a t-shirt reading “The Dogefather,” said, “I hope to continue to provide advice whenever the president would like.” Trump replied, “I hope so.”
Musk initially aimed to cut \$1–2 trillion in federal spending. However, a May 26 DOGE report showed the final savings at about \$175 billion. These savings came from cutting contracts, cracking down on fraud, and selling off assets. This amounts to roughly \$1,087 saved per taxpayer.
Trump praised Musk’s leadership, calling it “the most sweeping and consequential government reform effort in generations” and credited him with creating a “colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington.”
Musk’s departure also signals a major shift in federal bureaucracy, with thousands of government jobs cut and some agencies, like the U.S. Agency for International Development, significantly reduced under his leadership.
Musk announced his exit earlier in the week, saying his “scheduled time” in government was over. On Friday, he emphasized, “This is not the end of DOGE. Only the beginning.”
Though Musk is leaving his official post, his impact—and the symbolic golden key—will likely remain part of the Trump administration’s future work.
