Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been Donald Trump’s battering ram during the president’s first 100 days, slashing the federal government and trying to bend its remnants to Trump’s will.

Elon Musk isn’t stepping back from DOGE until next month, but President Donald Trump is already talking about him in the past tense. Trump heaped praise on his billionaire buddy Wednesday as he spoke to reporters at the Oval Office about Musk’s looming departure from the cost-cutting task force.

Elon Musk announced his reduced role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to focus on Tesla, following a challenging financial quarter for the company. Despite criticism surrounding Musk's cost-cutting efforts,