Trump sends Musk back to focus on his cars after DOGE failures
President Trump bid a fond farewell to Elon Musk during a recent Cabinet meeting, marking Musk’s departure from Washington as he returns to his business ventures. Despite being ready to leave town, Musk made an appearance at the White House to commemorate the first 100 days of Trump’s second term. Trump expressed gratitude towards Musk, acknowledging the sacrifices he has made and highlighting his significant contributions.
Acknowledging the challenges Musk faced, Trump empathized with the tech billionaire, recognizing that Musk had been treated unfairly but had nonetheless offered tremendous assistance. In a display of camaraderie, Trump extended an open invitation to Musk to stay as long as needed, although acknowledging Musk’s eagerness to return to managing his car businesses. Musk, wearing two hats, including a “Gulf of America” hat, received applause from the attendees as Trump commended him for his work.
Musk’s departure from Washington coincided with a significant drop in Tesla’s profits, attributed to the backlash over his efforts at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite aiming to reduce government spending by $2 trillion, Musk’s endeavors fell short, achieving $150 billion in savings, according to Trump. Nevertheless, Musk expressed his admiration for the officials he collaborated with and shared his optimism about the Trump administration, considering it a potentially remarkable administration in U.S. history.
During the meeting, Trump’s Cabinet members took turns recognizing Musk’s contributions, with Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer thanking the Department of Government Efficiency and the government for their efforts. The accolades aimed at Musk and his team were only rivaled by the expressions of admiration for Trump’s leadership in the first 100 days of his presidency. Susie Wiles, referred to by Trump as the most powerful woman in the world, commended Trump’s performance, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the administration’s achievements.
Amidst the praises and farewells, the Cabinet meeting addressed economic concerns, with data indicating a contraction in the economy during the first quarter of the year due to increased imports and uncertainty regarding future tariff strategies. Trump and his administration emphasized their positive interpretation of the economic data, deflecting any blame onto President Joe Biden for negative economic trends. Trump defended his administration’s actions, arguing that they had inherited a challenging economic situation and requesting understanding as they transitioned into governance.
In conclusion, Musk’s departure from Washington provided an opportunity for Trump and his Cabinet members to express their appreciation for his contributions, bidding him a warm farewell as he returned to his business pursuits. The meeting also served as a platform for Trump’s administration to reflect on their accomplishments, address economic concerns, and assert their readiness to navigate the challenges ahead.