World

Trump Appoints Elon Musk as 'Special Government Employee

Published On Tue, 04 Feb 2025
Manish Thakur
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Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has officially been designated a "special government employee" by the White House, allowing him to work for the federal government while potentially sidestepping standard disclosure rules on financial conflicts of interest. The billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is leading President Donald Trump’s push to shrink the federal bureaucracy under the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. His role has already sparked controversy, with critics raising concerns over transparency and the level of influence he now holds over government operations.
Musk’s Expanding Role in Government: Despite running major private companies, Musk has been granted access to key government systems and agencies, raising alarm among civil servants. Reports indicate that his team has locked career federal employees out of databases containing personal information on millions of workers. Additionally, Musk has advocated for shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it an unaccountable "left-wing organization." While Trump has given Musk significant authority, he reassured the public that Musk's actions would still require White House approval. "Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval. But he does have good instincts," Trump told reporters.
Ethical Concerns and Lack of Oversight: Experts warn that Musk’s designation as a special government employee could shield him from financial disclosure requirements, making it difficult for the public to scrutinize potential conflicts of interest—especially given his companies’ lucrative contracts with the U.S. government. "If they don’t make his financial disclosures public, it will be nearly impossible to ensure he isn’t making decisions that benefit his business interests," said Kathleen Clark, a government ethics professor at Washington University.
Adding to concerns, Musk played a significant financial role in Trump’s re-election, contributing over a quarter of a billion dollars to support his campaign. Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has aggressively moved to restructure the federal government, firing and sidelining hundreds of civil servants while bringing in allies like Musk to reshape key institutions. Musk has embraced his new government role, sharing a post on his social media platform, X, that suggested his involvement was fully endorsed by voters. His influence within the administration continues to grow, sparking debate over the balance of power between private billionaires and public governance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.