Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk dismissed allegations of orchestrating a "hostile takeover" of the U.S. government during an unexpected appearance at the White House on Tuesday.
Standing alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Musk addressed reporters, defending his aggressive cost-cutting initiatives aimed at streamlining federal operations. The tech mogul, who has been tasked with reducing the size and expenses of the government, insisted that his approach was pragmatic rather than extreme.
Following Musk’s remarks, Trump signed an executive order granting the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) expanded authority to oversee reductions in the federal workforce. The directive also mandated that agency heads cooperate with Doge’s restructuring efforts.
Critics, particularly from the Democratic Party, have raised concerns over the department’s lack of transparency, while legal challenges have posed obstacles to its initiatives.
However, Musk, speaking publicly for the first time since Trump’s inauguration last month, defended the reforms as necessary adjustments rather than drastic overhauls. He described the measures as “practical steps” aimed at improving government efficiency rather than radical cuts.
"The people voted for major government reform and that's what the people are going to get," he said. "That's what democracy is all about."
"I fully expect to be scrutinised," he added. "It's not like I think I can get away with something."
Musk, who was appointed rather than elected, criticized the federal bureaucracy, referring to career government employees as an "unaccountable, unofficial fourth branch of government" that, in his view, wields "more influence than any elected official."
The 53-year-old CEO of Tesla, X, and SpaceX made his appearance wearing a black "Make America Great Again" cap, occasionally exchanging lighthearted remarks with reporters questioning him about his critics. At one point during the news conference, his young son, X Æ A-Xii—often called "X"—perched on his shoulders, adding a personal touch to the moment.
"It's not optional for us to reduce the federal expenses," Musk said. "It's essential. It's essential for America to remain solvent as a country."
Standing alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Musk addressed reporters, defending his aggressive cost-cutting initiatives aimed at streamlining federal operations. The tech mogul, who has been tasked with reducing the size and expenses of the government, insisted that his approach was pragmatic rather than extreme.
Following Musk’s remarks, Trump signed an executive order granting the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) expanded authority to oversee reductions in the federal workforce. The directive also mandated that agency heads cooperate with Doge’s restructuring efforts.
Critics, particularly from the Democratic Party, have raised concerns over the department’s lack of transparency, while legal challenges have posed obstacles to its initiatives.
However, Musk, speaking publicly for the first time since Trump’s inauguration last month, defended the reforms as necessary adjustments rather than drastic overhauls. He described the measures as “practical steps” aimed at improving government efficiency rather than radical cuts.
"The people voted for major government reform and that's what the people are going to get," he said. "That's what democracy is all about."
"I fully expect to be scrutinised," he added. "It's not like I think I can get away with something."
Musk, who was appointed rather than elected, criticized the federal bureaucracy, referring to career government employees as an "unaccountable, unofficial fourth branch of government" that, in his view, wields "more influence than any elected official."
The 53-year-old CEO of Tesla, X, and SpaceX made his appearance wearing a black "Make America Great Again" cap, occasionally exchanging lighthearted remarks with reporters questioning him about his critics. At one point during the news conference, his young son, X Æ A-Xii—often called "X"—perched on his shoulders, adding a personal touch to the moment.
"It's not optional for us to reduce the federal expenses," Musk said. "It's essential. It's essential for America to remain solvent as a country."
