President Donald Trump is praising Elon Musk as a “great patriot” and “brilliant guy” following Musk’s announcement that he will step back from his day-to-day role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The move marks a shift for Musk, who has played a high-profile role in helping the Trump administration slash bureaucracy, eliminate waste, and inject private-sector efficiency into the federal government.
“He didn’t need to do this—he did it,” Trump said during remarks from the White House. “He’s an incredible person, a brilliant mind, and someone who stepped up in a major way to help fix a broken system.”
Musk’s time at DOGE was instrumental in achieving the administration’s cost-cutting agenda. Under his leadership, DOGE targeted wasteful programs, introduced AI-driven auditing tools, and helped save taxpayers billions in unnecessary government spending. Even as he prepares to refocus on Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has pledged to remain involved in a limited capacity.
Trump was quick to point out that Musk took political and financial hits for his public service. “They took it out on Tesla,” Trump said. “He was trying to help the country, and instead of getting praised for it, he got punished. But he stayed the course. That’s what patriots do.”
The President also highlighted Musk’s broader contributions to America’s innovation and defense posture. From reusable rockets to cutting-edge satellite technology through Starlink, Trump emphasized that Musk is doing work few others can even understand—let alone accomplish.
“When you see those rockets go up and come back down on the same landing pad—nobody else can do that,” Trump said. “Starlink is game-changing. His medical technology is next-level. And his vehicles are second to none. He’s building the future and defending the country at the same time.”
While Musk’s involvement with DOGE will be scaled back, Trump made it clear that the door remains open for future collaboration. “Whenever you’re ready, Elon—we want you back. And we’d like to keep you around for a long time,” the President said with a smile.
Elon Musk’s partnership with the Trump administration represents a rare case of private-sector innovation being deployed directly to reform government operations. And despite media attacks and political backlash, it’s clear both men share a vision: an efficient, accountable government that puts America First.