Elon Musk joins government team to curb waste and fraud
Elon Musk has been granted the status of a special government employee, said a White House spokesperson. She mentioned that he is "a once-in-a-generation business leader" and a friend of the president who "has some common sense."
Elon Musk, the founder of companies such as SpaceX and Tesla, has received the designation of a special government employee, which indicates he will serve as an advisor in the federal administration for less than 130 days a year.
As explained by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, his primary task is eliminating "fraud, waste, and abuse" within government structures. However, during the press conference, she could not confirm whether he has undergone any procedures related to accessing classified information.
When asked about the billionaire's qualifications, Leavitt stressed that Musk is a "once-in-a-generation business leader" and a friend of President Trump, who "also has some common sense."
Collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency
Musk and his team, associated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have taken control over key government agencies, obtaining access to federal employee data and the Treasury payment system.
Among the controversial businessman's collaborators are young college graduates who previously worked as interns at companies associated with the billionaire.
Closure of the USAID agency
One of Musk's contentious moves is his role in the process of closing the USAID foreign aid agency, which he labelled as a "criminal organization." Democrats have announced plans to file court complaints to stop these actions, arguing that they are unlawful.
President Trump and his spokesperson insist that all of Musk's actions are legal and align with the president's will. The president also assured that in case of a conflict of interest, Musk would be stopped. However, the opposition remains skeptical, fearing potential abuses related to the billionaire's new role.
