Trump admin live updates: White House drops NASA nominee with Musk ties

During brief remarks from the Oval Office, Elon Musk said he believes the Department of Government Efficiency will "only grow stronger over time" and will see a "trillion dollars" of savings from waste and fraud reduction.

"The DOGE influence will only grow stronger," Musk said. "It's like a way of life."

Musk’s team claims DOGE has so far cut $175 billion through asset sales, canceled contracts and leases and workforce reductions. That figure falls considerably short of the $1 trillion goal.

Musk also said he looks forward to being back in the Oval Office.

"I look forward to continuing to be a friend and advisor to the president," Musk said.

President Donald Trump, as an expression of gratitude, gave Elon Musk a gift of what appeared to be a gold key. The president said he appreciated all Musk had done.

"Elon gave an incredible service to nobody like him. And, he had to go through, the slings and the arrows, which is a shame because, he's an incredible patriot," Trump said before handing the gift to Musk.

Musk accepted the gift, thanking Trump. He then complimented the president on the renovations done to the Oval Office.

President Donald Trump said Elon Musk "willingly accepted the outrageous abuse and slander and lies and attacks" because the South African native loves the U.S.

"I know that very much," Trump said. "He loves our country."

Trump's remarks come on the heels of a New York Times report that detailed Musk's alleged drug use and family drama.

As President Donald Trump bids farewell to Elon Musk's work as a federal government employee, he said he believes Musk "is really not leaving."

"He's going to be back and forth, I think," Trump said. "I have a feeling. It's his baby, and I think he's going to be doing a lot of things."

Trump also said his administration is "totally committed to making the DOGE cuts permanent."