President Trump lauded Elon Musk's contributions to the country, particularly his work with DOGE, as Musk prepares to reduce his involvement starting in May.
Trump highlighted Musk's help during the campaign and his efforts to save the country money. Musk's reduced role comes amidst a 71% profit drop for Tesla in the first quarter, earning $409 million compared to $1.4 billion last year.
Musk cited attacks on Tesla dealerships, including firebombings, as blowback for his government involvement. Trump condemned the vandalism, praising Tesla's products and Musk's overall contributions.
Musk's tenure with DOGE has been marked by internal disagreements, including a heated exchange with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, highlighting the passionate debates within Trump's cabinet.