In a moment that combined praise with a pointed farewell, former President Donald Trump publicly thanked Elon Musk during a cabinet meeting—only to suggest that the billionaire’s time in Washington was drawing to a close.
Musk, who controversially headed the Department of Government Efficiency, was credited with slashing tens of thousands of federal jobs under the guise of eliminating bureaucratic waste. Agencies like FEMA and the National Weather Service were hit hard, sparking widespread backlash.
“You really have sacrificed a lot,” Trump told Musk. “They treated you unfairly.”
Musk, known for his blunt style, responded with a quip: “They do like to burn my cars, which is not great.”
Trump doubled down on his praise, saying, “The vast majority of people in this country really respect and appreciate you.” But the tone shifted when Trump added, “You’re invited to stay as long as you want, but at some point, he wants to get back home to his cars.”
Translation? Thanks for the help, but don’t let the Capitol doors hit you on the way out.
While Musk’s supporters see his government stint as bold and disruptive, critics argue it’s left essential agencies crippled. Even Trump’s diplomatic push to the exit suggests the Musk experiment in Washington may have worn out its welcome.
President Trump thanks Elon Musk and his DOGE initiative during a meeting of his Cabinet, saying Musk is invited to stay as a member of his administration for as "long as you want."
— ABC News (@ABC) April 30, 2025
"At some point, I guess, he wants to get back home to his cars." https://t.co/OzAzVK2Ihx pic.twitter.com/0ypXWwnwEZ
