Elon Musk Denies “Hostile Takeover” of US Government in White House Appearance
In a surprising first appearance at the White House on Tuesday, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, denied claims of orchestrating a “hostile takeover” of the United States government. Musk was questioned by reporters while standing next to President Donald Trump, who appointed him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). This department is tasked with reducing the size and expenditures of the federal government.
President Trump signed an executive order granting Doge greater authority to downsize the federal workforce, instructing government agencies to cooperate with Musk’s team. Critics have raised concerns about Doge’s transparency and have challenged its actions legally, but Elon Musk remains firm in defending his plans.
Musk, who has not been elected to his position, defended the sweeping cuts to government spending, describing them as “common sense” reforms aimed at ensuring the nation’s financial stability. “The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they’re going to get,” Musk said, emphasizing that his actions were a result of democracy and public demand. “It’s not draconian or radical; it’s necessary for America to stay solvent.”
Musk faced significant scrutiny, particularly from Democratic lawmakers, who have strongly criticized his efforts. They accuse him of working as an unelected, unconstitutional force within the government, surpassing the power of elected officials. Despite these criticisms, Musk continued to defend his position. Wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap, Elon Musk joked with reporters and kept a light tone, occasionally holding his young son, X Æ A-Xii, during the news conference.
Musk insisted that cutting federal expenses is not optional. “It’s essential for America’s future,” he stressed. He also addressed a recent false claim about the U.S. government sending millions of dollars worth of condoms to Gaza, acknowledging that mistakes were made but asserting that corrections would follow.
In the first few weeks of the Trump administration, Musk has led efforts to reduce the size of the federal government dramatically. Doge representatives have entered federal departments, examined spending practices, and offered exit packages to millions of federal workers. They have also moved to freeze funding to some agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has faced significant cuts.
During his appearance, President Trump echoed Elon Musk’s sentiments, claiming that the efforts have uncovered “fraud and abuse,” although he provided no evidence to support these claims. Trump also suggested that more than $1 trillion in wasteful government spending would be discovered through Musk’s efforts, without offering further details.
Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have harshly condemned Musk’s involvement in government operations. Schumer recently accused Musk and Doge of conducting a “hostile takeover” of the federal government, and vowed that Democrats would work to block Musk’s actions by inserting language into spending bills. However, with Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Trump administration has encountered more challenges in the courts, with several recent rulings temporarily halting key aspects of Musk’s agenda.
Opponents of Doge have also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, citing Musk’s substantial business holdings. They argue that the changes Elon Musk is implementing may benefit his business ventures. Musk responded by saying the public could form their own opinions on the matter, while President Trump assured reporters that any conflicts of interest would be addressed by the White House to ensure transparency.
In his executive order, Trump instructed Doge to significantly reduce the size of the federal workforce, with plans for large-scale layoffs. The order also stipulates that once the hiring freeze ends, agencies should replace only one employee for every four who leave.
A recent poll from CBS News indicated that while most Americans approve of Musk’s efforts to cut federal spending, they are divided over the extent of his influence. The poll showed that Republicans overwhelmingly supported the cuts, particularly to foreign aid, but many Americans want Trump to focus more on lowering domestic prices.
Among the most affected agencies is USAID. On the same day Elon Musk appeared at the White House, the agency’s inspector general was dismissed after releasing a report critical of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting plans. This action further intensified the ongoing debate about the future of U.S. foreign aid and government efficiency.
Elon Musk’s appearance at the White House underscores the ongoing tension between his cost-cutting efforts, legal challenges, and political opposition. As his reforms continue, the debate over government efficiency versus transparency, as well as the potential benefits to Musk’s business interests, is likely to intensify.
