Elon Musk Ends Trump Administration Role After 128 Days

Elon Musk's brief tenure as a "special government employee" under President Donald Trump, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.), concluded after 128 days due to a legal limit on service time. During his time at the White House, Musk aimed to reduce government spending but left behind controversy, including significant budget cuts and shareholder backlash. Comedian Jon Stewart humorously critiqued Musk's exit on "The Daily Show," highlighting Musk's disheveled appearance, including a black eye he attributed to roughhousing with his son, and contrasting it with his earlier energetic campaign trail presence. Stewart also mocked Musk's personal life, referencing his 14 children and alleged substance use during the 2024 campaign, which Musk denies. President Trump presented Musk with a ceremonial golden key as a parting gift, seen by Stewart as a symbolic gesture for Musk's service. Musk opted for an exit interview on CBS News' Sunday Morning rather than Stewart's program, where Stewart suggested Musk deflected questions about policy by focusing on space exploration topics.