Elon Musk Honored with Golden Key as He Exits Trump Administration Role

In a White House ceremony, President Donald Trump presented billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk with a golden key, a rare token of appreciation, as Musk concluded his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The event, held in the Oval Office, marked the end of Musk’s role as a special government employee tasked with streamlining federal operations.

Trump praised Musk as an exceptional innovator and one of the world’s foremost business leaders, highlighting his contributions to government reform. “Today, it’s about a man named Elon Musk, who stepped forward to put his very great talents into the service of our nation,” Trump said during the joint press conference. The golden key, described by Trump as a gesture reserved for “very special people,” symbolized gratitude for Musk’s efforts in driving significant changes in Washington.

Musk, who led DOGE since the start of Trump’s second term, spearheaded a controversial initiative to reduce federal bureaucracy. Despite stepping down, Musk expressed optimism about the program’s future, stating, “Over time, the DOGE influence will only grow stronger.” He also affirmed his intention to remain a friend and advisor to the president.

The press conference underscored the impact of Musk’s leadership, with Trump noting that Musk and his team uncovered “unbelievably stupid and unbelievably bad” practices within the government. While Musk’s departure signals a shift back to focusing on his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X, Trump emphasized that Musk’s influence would persist, saying, “He’s going to be back and forth, I think.”