ANALYSIS — The Donald Trump-Elon Musk partnership ended much like it began, with plenty of mutual flattery and a little awkwardness — capped off by a surreal Oval Office send-off.
The president bid farewell to the tech billionaire on Friday with an hourlong media appearance to mark the end of his service as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a role that drew howls from congressional Democrats about the office’s moves to wind down federal agencies and terminate thousands of federal jobs.
Trump and the former DOGE boss opened the afternoon White House event by lathering one another with praise. Considering how Musk’s chaotic stint as the federal government cutter was, perhaps it was fitting that reporters spent much of the session shouting over one another while peppering the duo with questions on a range of topics. One asked about the French president seen getting pushed in the face by his wife. Another asked Musk why he had a dark bruise on his face, which he said was the result of a requested punch from his 5-year-old son. Musk also attacked The New York Times when asked about its report on his alleged drug use and other purported behaviors.
