Washington, D.C. – Elon Musk appeared alongside former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, marking his first public comments since taking charge of the administration’s aggressive cost-cutting efforts within the federal government. Musk, who has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), defended his team’s initiatives after Trump invited him to speak. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO arrived wearing a black coat and a red “Make America Great Again” hat, accompanied by his young son, X.
Musk Questions Bureaucracy’s Role in Democracy
“If there’s not a good feedback loop from the people to the government and if you have rule of the bureaucrat, or if the bureaucracy is in charge, then what meaning does democracy actually have?” Musk said, emphasizing his belief in streamlined government operations.
Musk, an unelected official, has been overseeing efforts to downsize federal agencies as part of Trump’s initiative to reduce government spending. However, his role has raised questions about oversight and accountability, with the White House only classifying him as a “special government employee” without clear lines of authority beyond Trump himself.
Musk Faces Scrutiny Over Transparency and Conflicts of Interest
During the press conference, media pressed Musk on how he is being held accountable and whether he is “policing” himself. Musk insisted that DOGE’s work is “maximally transparent,” but provided little detail beyond vague references to uncovering government inefficiencies.
When asked about potential conflicts of interest—given that Musk’s own companies have received billions in government contracts—he dismissed concerns, stating, “All of our actions are fully public. If there’s a conflict, people will call it out immediately.”
Trump interjected, saying that his administration would not allow Musk to operate in any capacity that posed a conflict of interest.
Related: What Happens if Elon Musk Defies a Court Order?
Executive Order Targets Government Downsizing
Earlier that day, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to coordinate with DOGE to “shrink the size of the federal workforce and limit hiring to essential positions.” The White House described it as a necessary step to curb inefficiencies and reduce taxpayer burden.
Musk, reinforcing the administration’s stance, argued that government spending needed to be reined in. “There needs to be a lot of people working for the federal government, but not as many as currently,” he said, suggesting that some employees had inexplicably amassed significant wealth despite modest salaries.
Social Security, Courts, and Legal Challenges
Musk also made controversial claims regarding Social Security, alleging—without evidence—that some individuals in the system were “150 years old” or had “no identifying information.”
Despite DOGE’s sweeping mandate, a federal judge recently issued a temporary block preventing Musk’s team from accessing Treasury Department records, citing concerns over privacy and potential overreach. The injunction halted efforts to review sensitive taxpayer information, including Social Security numbers and bank account details.
Key Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have condemned the ruling, arguing that courts should not interfere with Musk’s efforts.
Trump also criticized the judiciary, calling one judge an “activist” attempting to obstruct government efficiency. “Maybe we have to look at the judges, because that’s very serious,” he said, suggesting the legal system was standing in the way of his agenda.
Legal Experts Raise Concerns Over Executive Power
The administration’s combative stance toward the courts has sparked concerns among legal scholars, especially after Vice President JD Vance suggested that judges “aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.”
When asked whether he would comply with a court order blocking his policies, Trump insisted he would “always abide by the courts,” though he expressed frustration with the appeals process.
“I would hope that a judge, if you go into a judge and you show them, here’s a corrupt situation … do you want us to send this corrupt check to a person, or do you want us not to give it and give it back to the taxpayer?” Trump said. “I would hope a judge would say, don’t send it, give it back to the taxpayer.”
With DOGE’s mission facing mounting legal and political challenges, Musk’s role in reshaping the federal government remains uncertain, though his presence in the administration continues to draw significant scrutiny.
