Musk denies ‘hostile takeover’ of government in White House debut
Elon Musk denied leading the U.S. government’s “hostile takeover” and defended his cost-cutting plan as he made his debut at the White House on Tuesday.
The world’s richest man in the Oval Office journalist stands next to President Donald Trump, whose mission cuts the size and spending of the federal government.
Trump then signed an order to Musk Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Cut more power to the federal labor force. It directs the heads of government agencies to comply with Doge.
The agency has been criticized by Democrats who accused the agency of lack of transparency and its efforts have been hampered by legal challenges.
But Musk, who was questioned by journalists for the first time since Trump took office last month, described a large number of administration cuts as “common sense” measures rather than “not harsh or radical.”
“The people voted for the major reforms of the government, and that’s what the people could get,” he said. “This is the whole purpose of democracy.”
“I totally expect to be scrutinized,” he added. “It’s not that I think I can get rid of things.”
His own appointment and no elected billionaire tech entrepreneur described federal workers as “unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government” and said that it had more power than any elected representative.”
The 53-year-old Tesla, X and Spacex boss dressed in black to make America stand out again and joked with reporters occasionally asking him about his critics. His youngest son was introduced by Trump and attended part of the press conference on his shoulders.
“Reducing federal fees is not optional for us,” Musk said. “It’s essential. It’s crucial for the United States to maintain the solvent as a country.”
Musk was also asked about the recent misconception that the U.S. government is sending condoms worth millions to Gaza. Musk replied: “Some of what I said will be incorrect and should be corrected.”
During the first few weeks of Trump’s tenure, Musk was the first to work hard to quickly narrow the federal government. Doge representatives have entered various departments to monitor spending, provided an export route for millions of workers, and moved to federal funds and work for agencies such as the United States International Development Agency (USAID).
“We found fraud and abuse,” Trump said of Tuesday’s work without providing evidence. He estimated that more than $1 trillion in wasted spending, although no further details were provided.
Opponents including the senior Democrats and those who say this will have a significant impact both in the United States and internationally repeatedly criticized the huge cost driver.
“The unelected shadow administration is taking hostile takeover of the federal government,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently said. He said Democrats will stop Musk’s “by introducing specific languages into the spending bill.” effort.
But Trump’s agenda faces even more pressing obstacles in the courtroom as Republicans hold majority in both congressions.
“I hope the court system will enable us to do what we have to do,” Trump said on Tuesday. Including through employee acquisition programs.
Given Musk’s many business interests, critics of Duger also point to potential conflicts of interest. Democrats accused him of personally benefiting from some of the changes the Trump administration has tried to pass.
Musk said the public can have their own opinions on potential conflicts. Trump then said that if the White House believes there is a lack of transparency or conflict of interest, “we won’t let him do that part or observation in that area.”
Trump then signed an executive order directing Doge to “significantly” reduce the size of the federal workforce. The order also calls on government offices to “implement plans to effectively reduce massive reductions.”
It also said that once the recruitment freeze signed by Trump at the end of the first day, agents should hire no more than one person for every four people leaving.
Recent polls conducted by BBC’s U.S. partners CBS News It shows that most Americans agree with Musk’s work, but disagree with the influence he should have.
It specifically advises Republicans to support his efforts to reduce federal spending and foreign aid.
The poll shows that Trump’s policy is basically favorable, but about 66% say they want him to focus more on lowering prices.
USAID is one of the most affected agencies by cost-cutting drivers.
The insurgent general of the agency was fired Tuesday – after a report was released, criticizing the overwhelming majority of the agency’s staff for taking leave and closing global plans to support U.S.-backed aid programs.
