Elon Musk is reportedly serving as a “special government employee” under President Donald Trump, according to a White House official, further cementing his controversial role within the administration. This arrangement allows Musk to avoid certain disclosure requirements typically imposed on federal workers.
The anonymous official revealed that Musk has been given a government email address and office space within the White House complex. As the world’s wealthiest individual, Musk has been granted significant freedom by Trump to streamline the federal government. On Monday, for example, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s headquarters was suddenly shut down. Additionally, Musk’s team, called the Department of Government Efficiency, has been given access to sensitive payment systems at the U.S. Treasury Department.
Democrats are concerned that Musk is amassing power within the federal government, acting without proper oversight, and potentially overstepping legal boundaries.
Special government employees are typically appointed for a term of up to 130 days. However, it remains unclear how the usual ethics agreements and financial disclosure requirements will apply to Elon Musk, who holds billions of dollars in federal contracts through his rocket company, SpaceX.
According to a White House official, Elon Musk does not receive a salary for his work. Based on federal guidelines, it’s unlikely that he will be required to submit a public financial disclosure report. The official added that Musk is complying with the law but provided no further details.
President Trump expressed his support for Musk’s efforts on Sunday evening after returning from Florida. Trump praised Musk, saying, “I think Elon is doing a good job. He’s a big cost-cutter. Sometimes we won’t agree with it, and we won’t always go where he wants to go. But I think he’s doing a great job.”