President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to the media after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Musk’s informal advisory role in the effort has drawn both attention and criticism.
In an exchange with a reporter, Trump addressed what he described as unfair treatment of Musk and Tesla. "They took it out on Tesla, and I just thought it was so unfair because he's trying to help the country, but he has helped the country… He didn't need to do this. He did it," he said.
Trump's remarks came as tensions have hit an all-time high for Musk's electric vehicle company Tesla.
DAVID MARCUS: WHAT AMERICA OWES ELON MUSK AFTER DOGE
Trump called Musk a "brilliant guy." (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Wrapping up his response, Trump said he hoped Musk would continue to be involved, even as he turns his attention back to his business empire.
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"I told him… whenever you’re ready, I’d like to keep him for a long time."
A recent Fox News poll shows that while 49% of Americans think DOGE will make the government more efficient, 52% believe the Trump administration has not been "competent and effective" in managing federal operations — a sentiment unchanged from 2017.
Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-praises-elon-musk-patriot-brilliant-guy-friend-mine-amid-doge-exit