US politics: President Donald Trump calls Elon Musk ‘terrific' ahead of the billionaire's last day in the White House
US President Donald Trump praised Elon Musk on Thursday (Friday AEST) and said he will hold a press conference with the billionaire, whose tenure in the administration is ending this week, in the Oval Office.
'This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 'Elon is terrific!'
Donald Trump will hold a press conference with Elon Musk on his last day in the White House. AP
Musk announced he was stepping down from his White House stint on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), giving Tesla investors some succour after shares slumped this year in part due to the backlash to his support of Trump and right-wing parties in Europe.
The billionaire spearheaded Trump's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, charged with cutting federal spending.
On Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), Musk criticised the price tag of the Trump administration's tax and budget legislation making its way through Congress.
In addition, he had recently pledged to spend less money on politics after he plunked down nearly $US300 million on Trump's presidential campaign and on other Republican candidates last year.
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Musk, who headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), disrupted numerous agencies across the federal bureaucracy but ultimately fell far short of the massive savings he had initially promised. A White House official on Wednesday said Musk would be leaving the administration. "Elon has worked tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations," Trump said on Friday from behind the Resolute Desk, as Musk stood to his right, wearing a black DOGE hat and a T-shirt that read "The Dogefather" in the style of the movie The Godfather. In recent days, Musk had prompted some frustration among White House officials by criticising Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill as too expensive. Some senior aides, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, saw Musk's remarks on the tax bill as an open break from the administration, with Miller particularly irked by the comments. There was no evidence of tension during the joint appearance on Friday, where Trump said Musk would continue to play a role in his administration. "Elon is really not leaving," Trump said. "He's going to be back and forth." Musk also addressed a New York Times report published on Friday, which alleged he used drugs "more intensely than previously known" during 2024's election campaign when he actively supported Trump. Citing anonymous sources, the report claimed Musk's drug use included ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, stimulants like Adderall, and large quantities of ketamine that allegedly began affecting his bladder. "Is that the same publication that won a Pulitzer for fake news about Russiagate? Is it the same one? I think it is!" Musk responded, quickly moving on to take a question from another reporter. Sporting a bruise near his right eye, Musk also offered some levity during the press conference. When asked about the bruise, Musk blamed his five-year-old son, X. "II was joking around with little X, told him, 'Come on, punch me in the face', and he did," said Musk, adding that the mark had nothing to do with France. His comment referenced a viral incident earlier this week in which French First Lady Brigitte Macron was caught on camera slapping French President Emmanuel Macron during a public event. Initially, the White House and senior aides insisted Musk, the world's richest man, was a key figure who wasn't going anywhere. But more recently, they began pointing to the expiration of his 130-day mandate as a special government employee, which was set to end around Friday as a natural endpoint. Musk has said he intends to devote most of his energy to his business empire, including Tesla and SpaceX, after some investors expressed concern that DOGE was occupying too much of his time. He has also said he plans to ratchet back his political spending, after he spent nearly $US300 million ($A467 million) backing Trump's presidential campaign and those of other Republicans in 2024. Musk initially claimed DOGE would slash at least $US2 ($A3.1) trillion in federal spending. Four months into its efforts, DOGE now estimates it has saved $US175 billion ($A272 billion). with EFE US President Donald Trump has praised billionaire Elon Musk's efforts to cut federal spending, as the Tesla boss departs his administration after a chaotic tenure that saw the elimination of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in contracts. Musk, who headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), disrupted numerous agencies across the federal bureaucracy but ultimately fell far short of the massive savings he had initially promised. A White House official on Wednesday said Musk would be leaving the administration. "Elon has worked tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations," Trump said on Friday from behind the Resolute Desk, as Musk stood to his right, wearing a black DOGE hat and a T-shirt that read "The Dogefather" in the style of the movie The Godfather. In recent days, Musk had prompted some frustration among White House officials by criticising Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill as too expensive. Some senior aides, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, saw Musk's remarks on the tax bill as an open break from the administration, with Miller particularly irked by the comments. There was no evidence of tension during the joint appearance on Friday, where Trump said Musk would continue to play a role in his administration. "Elon is really not leaving," Trump said. "He's going to be back and forth." Musk also addressed a New York Times report published on Friday, which alleged he used drugs "more intensely than previously known" during 2024's election campaign when he actively supported Trump. Citing anonymous sources, the report claimed Musk's drug use included ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, stimulants like Adderall, and large quantities of ketamine that allegedly began affecting his bladder. "Is that the same publication that won a Pulitzer for fake news about Russiagate? Is it the same one? I think it is!" Musk responded, quickly moving on to take a question from another reporter. Sporting a bruise near his right eye, Musk also offered some levity during the press conference. When asked about the bruise, Musk blamed his five-year-old son, X. "II was joking around with little X, told him, 'Come on, punch me in the face', and he did," said Musk, adding that the mark had nothing to do with France. His comment referenced a viral incident earlier this week in which French First Lady Brigitte Macron was caught on camera slapping French President Emmanuel Macron during a public event. Initially, the White House and senior aides insisted Musk, the world's richest man, was a key figure who wasn't going anywhere. But more recently, they began pointing to the expiration of his 130-day mandate as a special government employee, which was set to end around Friday as a natural endpoint. Musk has said he intends to devote most of his energy to his business empire, including Tesla and SpaceX, after some investors expressed concern that DOGE was occupying too much of his time. He has also said he plans to ratchet back his political spending, after he spent nearly $US300 million ($A467 million) backing Trump's presidential campaign and those of other Republicans in 2024. Musk initially claimed DOGE would slash at least $US2 ($A3.1) trillion in federal spending. Four months into its efforts, DOGE now estimates it has saved $US175 billion ($A272 billion). with EFE US President Donald Trump has praised billionaire Elon Musk's efforts to cut federal spending, as the Tesla boss departs his administration after a chaotic tenure that saw the elimination of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in contracts. Musk, who headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), disrupted numerous agencies across the federal bureaucracy but ultimately fell far short of the massive savings he had initially promised. A White House official on Wednesday said Musk would be leaving the administration. "Elon has worked tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations," Trump said on Friday from behind the Resolute Desk, as Musk stood to his right, wearing a black DOGE hat and a T-shirt that read "The Dogefather" in the style of the movie The Godfather. In recent days, Musk had prompted some frustration among White House officials by criticising Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill as too expensive. Some senior aides, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, saw Musk's remarks on the tax bill as an open break from the administration, with Miller particularly irked by the comments. There was no evidence of tension during the joint appearance on Friday, where Trump said Musk would continue to play a role in his administration. "Elon is really not leaving," Trump said. "He's going to be back and forth." Musk also addressed a New York Times report published on Friday, which alleged he used drugs "more intensely than previously known" during 2024's election campaign when he actively supported Trump. Citing anonymous sources, the report claimed Musk's drug use included ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, stimulants like Adderall, and large quantities of ketamine that allegedly began affecting his bladder. "Is that the same publication that won a Pulitzer for fake news about Russiagate? Is it the same one? I think it is!" Musk responded, quickly moving on to take a question from another reporter. Sporting a bruise near his right eye, Musk also offered some levity during the press conference. When asked about the bruise, Musk blamed his five-year-old son, X. "II was joking around with little X, told him, 'Come on, punch me in the face', and he did," said Musk, adding that the mark had nothing to do with France. His comment referenced a viral incident earlier this week in which French First Lady Brigitte Macron was caught on camera slapping French President Emmanuel Macron during a public event. Initially, the White House and senior aides insisted Musk, the world's richest man, was a key figure who wasn't going anywhere. But more recently, they began pointing to the expiration of his 130-day mandate as a special government employee, which was set to end around Friday as a natural endpoint. Musk has said he intends to devote most of his energy to his business empire, including Tesla and SpaceX, after some investors expressed concern that DOGE was occupying too much of his time. He has also said he plans to ratchet back his political spending, after he spent nearly $US300 million ($A467 million) backing Trump's presidential campaign and those of other Republicans in 2024. Musk initially claimed DOGE would slash at least $US2 ($A3.1) trillion in federal spending. Four months into its efforts, DOGE now estimates it has saved $US175 billion ($A272 billion). with EFE
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Along with blocking layoffs, Illston barred the Department of Government Efficiency from ordering job cuts or reorganisation at federal agencies. Dozens of lawsuits have challenged DOGE's work on various grounds, including claims that it violated labour and privacy laws and exceeded its authority, with mixed results. Two judges had separately ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary employees, who are typically newer hires and were fired en masse in February, but appeals courts paused those rulings. A US appeals court has refused to pause a judge's ruling blocking President Donald Trump's administration from carrying out mass layoffs of federal workers and a restructuring of government agencies as part of a sweeping government overhaul. The decision on Friday by the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals means that, for now, the Trump administration cannot proceed with plans to shed tens of thousands of federal jobs and shutter many government offices and programs. US District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco on May 22 blocked large-scale layoffs at about 20 federal agencies, agreeing with a group of unions, non-profits and municipalities that the president may only restructure agencies when authorised by Congress. A three-judge 9th Circuit panel on Friday denied the Trump administration's bid to stay Illston's decision pending an appeal, which could take months to resolve. The administration will likely now ask the US Supreme Court to pause the ruling. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The Ninth Circuit's decision today rightfully maintains the block on the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful, disruptive, and destructive reorganisation of the federal government," said a statement from the coalition of plaintiffs. The court said the administration had not provided any evidence it would suffer an irreparable injury if the lower court order remained in place and said plaintiffs were likely to prevail. "The executive order at issue here far exceeds the president's supervisory powers under the Constitution," said the majority opinion from Judge William Fletcher, who was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton. He was joined by Judge Lucy Koh, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden. Illston's ruling was the broadest of its kind against the government overhaul that was spearheaded by Trump ally Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of electric vehicle maker Tesla. Along with blocking layoffs, Illston barred the Department of Government Efficiency from ordering job cuts or reorganisation at federal agencies. Dozens of lawsuits have challenged DOGE's work on various grounds, including claims that it violated labour and privacy laws and exceeded its authority, with mixed results. Two judges had separately ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary employees, who are typically newer hires and were fired en masse in February, but appeals courts paused those rulings. A US appeals court has refused to pause a judge's ruling blocking President Donald Trump's administration from carrying out mass layoffs of federal workers and a restructuring of government agencies as part of a sweeping government overhaul. The decision on Friday by the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals means that, for now, the Trump administration cannot proceed with plans to shed tens of thousands of federal jobs and shutter many government offices and programs. US District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco on May 22 blocked large-scale layoffs at about 20 federal agencies, agreeing with a group of unions, non-profits and municipalities that the president may only restructure agencies when authorised by Congress. A three-judge 9th Circuit panel on Friday denied the Trump administration's bid to stay Illston's decision pending an appeal, which could take months to resolve. The administration will likely now ask the US Supreme Court to pause the ruling. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The Ninth Circuit's decision today rightfully maintains the block on the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful, disruptive, and destructive reorganisation of the federal government," said a statement from the coalition of plaintiffs. The court said the administration had not provided any evidence it would suffer an irreparable injury if the lower court order remained in place and said plaintiffs were likely to prevail. "The executive order at issue here far exceeds the president's supervisory powers under the Constitution," said the majority opinion from Judge William Fletcher, who was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton. He was joined by Judge Lucy Koh, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden. Illston's ruling was the broadest of its kind against the government overhaul that was spearheaded by Trump ally Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of electric vehicle maker Tesla. Along with blocking layoffs, Illston barred the Department of Government Efficiency from ordering job cuts or reorganisation at federal agencies. Dozens of lawsuits have challenged DOGE's work on various grounds, including claims that it violated labour and privacy laws and exceeded its authority, with mixed results. Two judges had separately ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary employees, who are typically newer hires and were fired en masse in February, but appeals courts paused those rulings. A US appeals court has refused to pause a judge's ruling blocking President Donald Trump's administration from carrying out mass layoffs of federal workers and a restructuring of government agencies as part of a sweeping government overhaul. The decision on Friday by the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals means that, for now, the Trump administration cannot proceed with plans to shed tens of thousands of federal jobs and shutter many government offices and programs. US District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco on May 22 blocked large-scale layoffs at about 20 federal agencies, agreeing with a group of unions, non-profits and municipalities that the president may only restructure agencies when authorised by Congress. A three-judge 9th Circuit panel on Friday denied the Trump administration's bid to stay Illston's decision pending an appeal, which could take months to resolve. The administration will likely now ask the US Supreme Court to pause the ruling. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The Ninth Circuit's decision today rightfully maintains the block on the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful, disruptive, and destructive reorganisation of the federal government," said a statement from the coalition of plaintiffs. The court said the administration had not provided any evidence it would suffer an irreparable injury if the lower court order remained in place and said plaintiffs were likely to prevail. "The executive order at issue here far exceeds the president's supervisory powers under the Constitution," said the majority opinion from Judge William Fletcher, who was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton. He was joined by Judge Lucy Koh, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden. Illston's ruling was the broadest of its kind against the government overhaul that was spearheaded by Trump ally Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of electric vehicle maker Tesla. Along with blocking layoffs, Illston barred the Department of Government Efficiency from ordering job cuts or reorganisation at federal agencies. Dozens of lawsuits have challenged DOGE's work on various grounds, including claims that it violated labour and privacy laws and exceeded its authority, with mixed results. Two judges had separately ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary employees, who are typically newer hires and were fired en masse in February, but appeals courts paused those rulings.
