President Donald Trump handed Elon Musk a ceremonial White House key, a symbolic nod to a job well done, as Breitbart reports. The Friday Oval Office presser capped Musk’s 130-day sprint as a special government employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It’s not every day a billionaire gets a pat on the back for slashing bureaucracy.

Trump lauded Musk’s DOGE for exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse, saving billions. Musk, sporting a black eye and a “Dogefather” shirt, stood alongside, grinning like he’d just landed a Tesla on Mars. The event celebrated a conservative dream: government trimmed with a capitalist’s scalpel.

Musk’s tenure, though brief, shook Washington’s dusty corners. He claimed DOGE’s reforms saved over $160 billion for fiscal years 2025 to 2026, with projections soaring past $200 billion. That’s real money, not the Monopoly kind progressives toss at pet projects.

Ceremonial key honors lasting impact

Trump called Musk one of the world’s greatest innovators, crediting him with sparking a historic government overhaul.

“He’s one of the greatest business leaders,” Trump said, beaming. But let’s be real: Musk’s no saint -- he’s just allergic to inefficiency.

Musk’s DOGE team, a squad of sharp minds, dug up “unbelievable” waste, per Trump. The president hinted Musk’s brainchild will keep chugging, even with its leader stepping back. Sounds like the bureaucracy’s worst nightmare isn’t over yet.

Musk, ever the showman, likened DOGE’s influence to a “way of life” seeping into government. He predicted a $1 trillion cut in waste and fraud, a figure that makes bean counters swoon. If only Congress could dream that big.

Bold claims emerge

The “Dogefather” didn’t mince words, claiming DOGE’s savings will climb fast. “Over $160 billion,” he said, eyeing $200 billion soon.

That’s a fiscal haircut even the most tax-happy liberal might notice.

Musk vowed to stay in the game, promising White House visits and advice for Trump.

“I’ll be back in this amazing room,” he said, sounding more like a coach than a temp. Continuity matters when you’re fighting the swamp.

Trump agreed, calling DOGE “his baby” and hinting at Musk’s ongoing role. The key wasn’t just a trinket -- it was a promise of more to come. Washington’s old guard must be sweating.

Presser gets heated

The press conference wasn’t all backslapping. Fox News’s Peter Doocy tossed a curveball about a contentious New York Times report, and Musk swung hard. He didn’t just dodge -- he attacked the paper’s credibility.

“Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer for false reporting on Russiagate?” Musk quipped. He suggested the Times might need to return that prize. Ouch -- talk about a zinger that lands.

Musk doubled down, claiming judges ruled against the Times for “lies” about the Russia hoax. “Let’s move on,” he said, brushing off the question like lint. The room probably felt five degrees hotter.

Reforms with teeth

DOGE’s legacy, per Musk, is a government forced to rethink its spendthrift ways. His “Buddhism” analogy -- DOGE as a pervasive mindset -- suggests a cultural shift, not a one-off. Bureaucrats, take note: inefficiency isn’t zen.

Trump and Musk’s partnership showcased a rare blend of political will and private-sector grit. The key symbolized more than Musk’s exit -- it marked a conservative push for leaner government. Progressives might scoff, but results don’t lie.

As Musk walks away, his black eye and bold shirt leave an image: a fighter who shook things up. DOGE’s savings and reforms could outlast the headlines, proving actions have consequences. Here’s hoping Washington keeps the key -- and the lesson.