Donald Trump and Elon Musk held a final press conference in the Oval Office to mark the official end of Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Despite Musk stepping down, DOGE — the cost-cutting initiative launched by Trump in 2024 and led by Musk — is set to officially end in July 2026, though both parties emphasized their partnership will continue.
“He’s not really leaving,” Trump said. “This was his baby.” Musk confirmed he will continue to advise the president informally.
Created by executive order, DOGE was tasked with identifying and reducing waste across the federal government. It claims to have saved $175 billion so far, with Musk citing a long-term target of $1 trillion. The initiative has faced criticism over transparency and the effect of cuts on public-sector employment and foreign aid.
Trump presented Musk with a gold key in a wooden case during the event and called him “the greatest businessman the world has ever produced.” Musk wore a DOGE-branded cap and a “Dogefather” T-shirt. He said the work had been “hard,” but meaningful, and added, “I’m still at the President’s service.”
Trump also took the opportunity to clarify that the decision to freeze federal funds for Harvard was made by the White House, not DOGE. The administration plans to redirect $5 billion from that freeze to expand vocational and trade schools.
Asked about tariff relief for Tesla, Trump said that would depend on how many vehicles the company manufactures in the U.S.
Musk, who had a visible black eye, said he got it while playing with his young son and declined to comment further on questions about drug use allegations.
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U.S. President Donald Trump is addressing the UN General Assembly as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st session. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and diplomacy set to dominate the event.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow stops targeting Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and food exports, as he prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in New York.
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said his team held a three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation in New York that he described as “very good” and “productive”, with another round of talks scheduled soon.
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
The 81st UN General Assembly continues in New York on Wednesday, with another day of high-level speeches and diplomatic meetings. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and international cooperation remain at the centre of discussions.
Executives from leading artificial intelligence companies warned the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that increasingly powerful AI systems could pose serious risks to humanity and international security, calling for governments to work together to manage the technology.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei criticised the United Nations on Wednesday for what he described as looking “the other way” as tensions with Britain escalate over oil exploration around the Falkland Islands.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told the UN that Tehran will not surrender to U.S. pressure but remains open to diplomacy, responding to Donald Trump’s threat to “annihilate” Iran.
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