President Donald Trump handed Elon Musk a large gold key during a White House press conference on May 30, 2025.
It was a send-off for Musk’s time leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he helped cut a reported $160–$175 billion in wasteful federal spending.
That’s a serious number, even if it fell short of the original $1 trillion goal.
So Trump gave Musk a gold key. A symbol of appreciation.
The Ceremony
Trump praised Musk as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators.” Musk thanked him and pledged to remain a friend and advisor.
The key, according to The New York Times and The Independent, featured the White House insignia—an eagle and shield, as expected.
Everything about the event was above board. Ceremonial. Presidential.
Here Come the Keyboard Warriors
Shortly after the event, posts on X started claiming the key had the Reddit logo on it; the smiling alien head known as “Snoo.”
Some users called it “cringe.” Others said it was “the funniest and saddest thing ever.”
Credible outlets reported no such thing. The key bore the presidential seal, not a tech company mascot.
So Why the Reddit Ranting?
There’s history here.
Reddit and Musk haven’t exactly been on friendly terms.
Back in January, Musk made a controversial gesture during Trump’s second inauguration. Reddit’s user base, not known for subtlety, accused him of mimicking a Nazi salute.
In response, over 100 subreddits—including r/NBA and r/NFL—banned links to X.
Tensions escalated in March when Musk allegedly pressured Reddit’s CEO to remove content critical of DOGE staff.
Soon after, the r/WhitePeopleTwitter subreddit got hit with a 72-hour suspension for “violent content.” Reddit users saw it as censorship.
Fast forward to May 30. Musk receives an honor. Reddit trolls retaliate with a fake scandal. The dots connect.
What Gets Missed in the Noise
Lost in the conversation is what actually matters: Musk’s work at DOGE.
He didn’t just collect a government paycheck. He brought in private-sector efficiency. He cut billions in waste.
That’s more than most lifetime bureaucrats ever manage.
No, he didn’t hit the trillion-dollar goal—but even a fraction of that is a win for taxpayers.
In a town where the solution to every problem is “spend more,” saving anything is an achievement.
What’s Next?
Musk will still advise the administration behind the scenes. Call it unofficial, call it informal—but it’s happening.
That has big-government types worried. When someone proves the government can function with less, the gravy train starts looking shaky.
Final Thought
No, the key didn’t have a Reddit logo.
Yes, the internet ran with a dumb rumor.
Meanwhile, Musk helped save taxpayers billions and is still pushing to make Washington work like a business instead of a money pit.
That’s the real headline here—not what some blurry screenshot might have shown if you squint just right from 20 feet away.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
