Elon Musk abruptly stepped down from his government role alongside Donald Trump after clashing over massive federal spending, leaving behind questions about drug allegations, power struggles, and whether his political experiment ever truly had a chance — or simply ended in a bruised goodbye.

In a surreal and politically charged moment inside the Oval Office, Elon Musk made a surprising exit from his controversial role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency — a position informally dubbed “DOGE” — while standing beside former adversary-turned-ally, President Donald Trump.

The press conference, held with little fanfare on May 30, was marked by spectacle and symbolism, as Musk sported a glaring black eye and fielded questions with his trademark nonchalance, leaving many to wonder if his tenure in Washington was ending due to policy differences, personal controversy, or both.

Musk’s appearance alone stirred speculation. His bruised eye, which he claimed was the result of a playful incident with his son X Æ A-Xii, became a focal point not just for optics but for deeper concerns.

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Just days prior, a major exposé alleged that Musk had been using a dangerous cocktail of drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and hallucinogens, raising questions about whether the world’s richest man — and one of the most polarizing — was fit for his expanding influence in both government and global business.

Musk laughed off the report, admitting to prescribed ketamine use but denying it affected his decision-making or work ethic. Still, whispers of concern rippled through both Wall Street and Capitol Hill.

The press conference quickly turned into a referendum on the odd political relationship between Musk and Trump — a duo once known more for online spats than mutual admiration.

Their reconciliation began quietly in late 2023, culminating in Musk’s surprise appointment to head the cost-cutting watchdog agency DOGE earlier this year.

His mission was clear: identify waste and save $1 trillion in federal spending. Trump, seeking to showcase outsider leadership and private-sector efficiency, touted Musk as a visionary who could reinvent the government like he had with Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.

And to some extent, Musk delivered. Trump credited him with helping to identify $160 billion in unnecessary spending — no small feat, especially in a bloated bureaucratic system often resistant to reform.

But behind closed doors, their alliance began to strain under the weight of conflicting philosophies.

Musk’s libertarian disdain for big government collided head-on with Trump’s latest legislative victory, a sweeping spending measure known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which funneled trillions into infrastructure and military projects.

Musk reportedly saw it as a betrayal of DOGE’s principles. When asked about the bill, Musk said only, “It’s a lot,” an understatement laced with frustration.

The press conference, then, was less a victory lap than an uneasy truce. Trump maintained that Musk’s “mission is complete,” praising his genius and promising he would continue to advise the administration in an unofficial capacity.

Musk nodded along but was notably muted, speaking only to suggest that DOGE’s work was “just getting started.” But for now, that work will proceed without him — and without the billionaire’s often unpredictable, and at times chaotic, energy.

Speculation over the timing of his departure is intensifying. The recent New York Times report on his alleged drug use is just the latest in a string of PR landmines.

Musk’s growing list of controversies — from questionable tweets to employee lawsuits and erratic business moves — has increasingly drawn scrutiny.

Critics question whether he can simultaneously run Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and now X.ai, while engaging in high-level politics. Supporters argue that few people alive possess the intellect or ambition to juggle so many missions. Investors, for their part, are relieved.

Analysts from Wedbush Securities called Musk’s exit “a strategic necessity,” suggesting that refocusing on Tesla and AI could reignite shareholder confidence.

Trump, never one to let an opportunity pass without branding, used the event to reiterate his desire to run a leaner, smarter government if re-elected.

But even as he tried to wrap the moment in celebratory tones, his remarks carried a defensive edge. “We do things differently here,” he said, hinting at the backlash both he and Musk have faced from traditional institutions.

Whether Trump is preparing to bring Musk back in some future capacity — possibly in a second administration — remains to be seen, but their alignment seems more tactical than permanent.

Musk, meanwhile, returns to the business battlefield with as many open fronts as ever. Tesla is racing to roll out its long-awaited robotaxi fleet. SpaceX is preparing for a new Starship launch following multiple delays. Neuralink has begun human testing.

And X, his social media platform, remains mired in controversy, from moderation failures to plunging ad revenue. His attention will also be on X.ai, his latest foray into artificial intelligence, which aims to challenge OpenAI and redefine the future of machine learning.

Still, his short-lived experiment in federal governance will leave an imprint. DOGE was more than a gimmick — it symbolized a broader question about whether the tech elite can truly reshape government systems, or whether the chaos they bring undermines any potential reform.

Musk may be out, but the debate he sparked — about power, personality, and performance — continues.

As the press conference wrapped, Musk offered an awkward half-wave, then exited the Oval Office with his black eye still visible.

Whether it was a bruise from his son or a metaphor for a bruising political experience, it was hard to tell. One thing is certain: when Elon Musk walks out of a room, the world watches — and waits for what’s next.