Elon Musk’s black eye stole the spotlight at a White House press conference, sparking whispers of West Wing drama, as the Daily Mail reports. Social media lit up with theories, some pointing fingers at Stephen Miller, while Musk chalked it up to playtime with his son. The truth, as always, is murkier than the rumors.

Last week, Musk announced his exit from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), almost simultaneously with Stephen Miller's wife Katie Miller’s departure to work for his private ventures, fueling speculation about internal rifts.

The Oval Office event, meant to celebrate Musk’s tenure, instead became a spectacle of injury and intrigue. Conservative supporters cheered Musk’s bold exit, but the bruise raised eyebrows.

Days before, Musk slammed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” on CBS News, calling it a deficit-ballooning disappointment.

The Congressional Budget Office backed his critique, projecting a $2.3 to $3.8 trillion deficit spike over a decade. Stephen Miller, a DOGE adviser, fired back on X, accusing the CBO of “accounting gimmicks” to smear the bill.

Musk’s exit spurs rumors

Musk’s criticism didn’t sit well with Miller, who sources say was “deeply displeased” with the tech mogul’s public jab. Miller stood stone-faced during Musk’s farewell, as Trump handed Musk a ceremonial “Key to the White House.” The tension was palpable, and the black eye only fanned the flames of gossip.

Social media erupted with quips like, “Yoo did Elon Musk get straight up punched?” Some users speculated Miller, a lefty, landed a weak hook, noting, “This is a black eye delivered by someone who can’t throw a punch.” The X platform, ever the circus, turned rumor into instant folklore.

Musk laughed off the chatter, blaming roughhousing with his young son, X. But the story didn’t stick for skeptics, who saw deeper West Wing grudges at play. Actions, it seems, have consequences, and Musk’s bruise became a Rorschach test for political loyalties.

Katie Miller makes surprising move

Katie Miller added fuel to the fire by leaving her White House role to join Musk’s team. The 34-year-old insider, a George Washington University grad, had served as a “Special Government Employee” limited to 130 days of federal work.

Her shift to Musk’s orbit, focusing on his companies and DOGE posts on X, raised questions about divided loyalties.

Katie’s history in Trump’s first term included stints as a special assistant and press secretary for Mike Pence. She married Stephen in 2020 at Trump’s D.C. hotel, a union forged in MAGA circles. Her X activity, reposting Musk’s company updates, signals a full pivot to the billionaire’s vision.

Stephen Miller’s displeasure wasn’t just about policy. Sources hint his frustration grew as Katie aligned with Musk, whose criticisms of Trump’s bill clashed with Miller’s defense. The personal and professional tangle makes this more than a simple staffing change.

West Wing tensions boil over

Democrats pounced, with the party's official X account mocking Miller via a photo of an empty hotel chair tagged with his handle. The jab, petty but pointed, underscored the left’s glee at potential conservative infighting. Meanwhile, MAGA loyalists rallied behind Miller, dismissing the gossip as liberal noise.

A separate incident muddied the waters further. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon claimed that Musk shoved Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after a heated exchange over unfulfilled budget cuts. “Elon shoved him,” Bannon told DailyMail.com, painting Musk as quick to escalate.

Bannon’s tale, though unverified, fed the narrative of Musk as a loose cannon in a tense White House. Bessent had challenged Musk’s promise to slash $1 trillion, reportedly saying, “You’re at like $100 billion, and nobody can find anything.” The alleged shove suggests Musk’s black eye might stem from more than toddler playtime.

What’s next for DOGE?

Despite the drama, Musk insisted DOGE’s mission would thrive, declaring, “This is not the end of DOGE. Only the beginning.” His optimism clashed with the visible strain among Trump’s inner circle. The black eye, real or symbolic, marks a bumpy road for Trump’s efficiency push.

Katie Miller’s move to Musk’s camp could reshape DOGE’s public face, especially on X, where she’s already active. Her departure, though, leaves Stephen Miller in a tough spot, balancing loyalty to Trump and personal grievances. The MAGA movement thrives on bold personalities, but unity is harder to maintain.

The White House rumor mill won’t stop spinning, but conservatives should focus on policy over palace intrigue. Musk’s exit and Miller’s new role signal shifts that could redefine Trump’s second term. For now, the black eye remains a mystery -- one that reflects the messy, human side of governance.