'Elon's not really leaving' to 'stopped India-Pak from fighting': What Trump said in press conference after Musk's exit

US President Donald Trump addressed a press conference on Friday (May 30) along with Tesla boss Elon Musk after his exit from White House. Musk, who had been serving as the chief of the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since the beginning of Trump's second term in January, is quitting the Washington stint. Trump and Musk's presser puts to an end the talks of rift between the duo after Musk's criticism of Trump's ‘big beautiful bill.’

The US president, in the press conference, said that Elon Musk has worked tirelessly, and he is not leaving the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) because it is “his baby.” Musk agreed with Trump and said he will continue to play the role of his advisor and will keep visiting DOGE. He reiterated that 'DOGE will become the way of life."

1. Trump opened the press conference by praising Elon Musk, calling him “a fantastic friend” who “didn’t need this,” referring to Musk’s government stint. “Government's a little nasty on occasion,” Trump added, before joking with another attendee about their “charmed life.” He credited Musk with leading “the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations.”

2. Trump showered praises on Musk, calling his role in government reform “without comparison in modern history.” He thanked the Tesla boss for enduring “outrageous abuse and lies” out of patriotism and formally honored him as a “special government employee.”

3. Trump said Musk’s team uncovered government practices that were “unbelievably stupid and unbelievably bad." The DOGE department, according to Trump, “installed geniuses” and brought in “an engineering mindset and unbelievably talented people.” He recounted asking Musk what defined their team — to which Musk supposedly replied: “Being smart.”

4. Praising his tariff decision, Trump claimed that ‘trade deficit has been cut to half.’ He then turned to Musk, calling him “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced,” and said Musk “stepped forward to put his very great talents into the service of our nation.”

5. Meanwhile, during the press conference as the Tesla CEO stood beside him at Oval Office, Trump once again claimed that he used tariff to stop the military action between India and Pakistan. "We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. It could have turned into a nuclear disaster.”

6. The US president also said that the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal and Iran nuclear deal will be finalised soon. The US president lashed out at China claiming that it violated the trade truce of 90 days.

What Elon Musk said in the press conference?

Elon Musk addressed the audience after receiving a special award from Donald Trump, clarifying that his official role in the government’s “Doge” initiative is ending — but the movement itself is just getting started. Musk noted, "It’s like a version of Buddhism." Musk confirmed his official 134-day role as “special government employee” is ending soon, but added, "I’ll continue to be here and be a friend and advisor to the President."

Elon Musk's eye and controversy around it

Elon Musk had an apparent black bruise near his eye during his final press conference before White House exit. The ‘black eye’ sparked concerns as it was seenhours after the New York Times made explosive claims about the Tesla CEO's alleged drug addiction.

A reporter asked Musk if his eye was ok. The Tesla CEO responded: “I wasn’t anywhere near France. I was just horsing around with little X, and I said punch me in the face and he did.” Tesla CEO's France reference was after French President Emmanuel Macron got shoved in the face while on an airplane by his wife - video of which went viral.