Musk defends drastic government overhauls while brushing off his own conflicts of interest

Elon Musk, now the most powerful unelected figure in the US government, stood in the Oval Office defending his radical restructuring of Washington. Flanked by President Donald Trump, he dismissed any suggestion that his vast business empire and personal financial interests could pose a conflict in his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they’re going to get,” Musk declared, ignoring the growing outcry over his unprecedented influence.

Trump, seated behind the Resolute Desk, largely listened as Musk delivered a scathing rebuke of the federal government, claiming—without evidence—that bureaucrats had enriched themselves through fraud and kickbacks. He alleged that employees at USAID, a key agency now facing closure, had turned public service into personal profit.

“I think the reality is that they’re getting wealthier at taxpayer expense,” Musk claimed.

Yet, while Musk touts DOGE’s aggressive transparency measures, his own potential conflicts remain murky. His ties to government contracts, Tesla’s reliance on federal subsidies, and SpaceX’s lucrative NASA and military deals have all raised red flags. Critics argue that he is gutting regulatory agencies that oversee his businesses, effectively reshaping government in a way that benefits himself.

The Trump-Musk Power Play

Musk, once a Biden voter, became Trump’s financial lifeline in 2024, pouring over a quarter-billion dollars into his re-election campaign. Their partnership now defines the new administration, with Musk wielding unchecked authority to dismantle agencies under the guise of “efficiency.” Trump has dismissed multiple inspectors general across federal departments, erasing oversight mechanisms that could hold Musk accountable.

“He’s a successful guy, that’s why we want him doing this,” Trump quipped, sidestepping concerns about Musk’s consolidation of power.

Tuesday’s Oval Office event was meant to project unity, but it also revealed the extent of Musk’s unchecked autonomy. As Trump prompted him to expand on government waste, Musk’s four-year-old son X climbed onto his shoulders, briefly distracting him. The billionaire casually removed his black “Make America Great Again” hat, a symbolic gesture of his deepening alignment with Trump’s administration.

Conflicts of Interest: An Inconvenient Truth

Despite presenting himself as a disruptor, Musk’s own dealings remain under scrutiny. His assertion that DOGE is operating with full transparency clashes with his refusal to disclose how his policies could directly benefit his businesses. Critics argue that his aggressive restructuring—particularly in sectors where he has financial stakes—demands more scrutiny, not blind trust.

Even Musk himself admitted he may not always be truthful.

“Some of the things I say will be incorrect and should be corrected,” he conceded. “We will make mistakes, but we’ll act quickly to correct any mistakes.”

For now, however, those mistakes appear to be accumulating at an alarming rate, and Musk’s promises of transparency remain selective at best.