WASHINGTON — Elon Musk sported a visible black eye during a farewell press conference at the White House on Friday as he formally stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, standing alongside President Donald Trump.
While Trump delivered glowing praise of Musk’s achievements — including billions in federal spending cuts — neither initially addressed the mysterious facial bruise that quickly became the subject of intense online speculation.
The Oval Office event served as a formal sendoff for Musk, who joined Trump’s administration 130 days ago to lead a cost-cutting initiative that reportedly saved over $160 billion. Dressed in a black T-shirt emblazoned with “The Dogefather” — a nod to both Dogecoin and The Godfather — Musk smiled and nodded as Trump hailed him as “an incredible patriot.”
“He’s slashed offshore projects funded by USAID, reined in bureaucratic waste, and inspired Americans to think differently about government spending,” Trump said. “He’s done more than anyone expected.”
As viewers noticed Musk’s swollen and bruised left eye, speculation erupted across social media.
“Does Elon Musk have a black eye in the Oval Office right now?” one user wrote on X, while another joked, “Oh man, I can’t wait for the conspiracy theories.”
When a reporter finally asked about the injury, Musk smirked and quipped, “Don’t worry, I wasn’t anywhere near France,” referencing a recent viral video of French First Lady Brigitte Macron slapping her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, on an airport tarmac.
Musk then offered a more sincere explanation: the injury occurred while playfully roughhousing with his five-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii.
“I was horsing around with little X, and I said, ‘Go ahead, punch me in the face.’ And he did,” Musk laughed. “I didn’t really feel much at the time, but I guess it bruised up later.”
Trump chuckled and replied, “X could do it. If you knew X, he could do it.”
The press conference also confirmed that Friday marked Musk’s last official day working in Washington. Still, both he and Trump said the Tesla and SpaceX CEO will remain available as a strategic advisor.
“The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” Musk said, referring to his efficiency campaign, which he claims will ultimately save the U.S. $1 trillion.
Trump affirmed, “He’ll always be helping all the way. We’re not letting him go far.”
A successor to Musk has not yet been announced, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested the role would be filled through a collaborative team effort.
Musk’s government stint has been marked by viral headlines, from wielding a “chainsaw for bureaucracy” on stage at CPAC to setting up a Tesla dealership outside the White House. His son X has frequently joined him in the Oval Office, further endearing Musk to the public and the Trump base.
Though Trump has expressed a desire to keep Musk in the cabinet full-time, Musk cited his responsibilities at Tesla and SpaceX as reasons for stepping down. “I need to get back to my companies,” he said.
the-sun.com
