(CLO) Billionaire Elon Musk joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, where he answered questions from reporters for the first time amid his aggressive cost-cutting efforts across federal government agencies.
Musk defended the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) when President Trump asked him to speak about the team's work. The Tesla billionaire brought his young son "X" with him and wore a black jacket and "Make America Great Again" hat.
Photo: GI
Musk has faced no questions since taking on the responsibility of carrying out President Trump’s order to cut or even eliminate several federal agencies. The White House said he was designated a “special government employee,” but it’s unclear who he’s accountable to other than President Trump.
ABC News reporter Rachel Scott asked Musk about his accountability and whether he was “checking” himself. Musk responded that DOGE’s actions were “completely transparent.”
While Musk and DOGE have posted some of their activities on social media, the information is often vague and doesn't provide much detail about what he frequently claims is widespread corruption and fraud to justify his actions.
Responding to questions about potential conflicts of interest, as some reports suggest Musk's companies have received billions of dollars in government contracts, the billionaire said: "All of our actions are public."
President Trump has said that if his administration perceives a conflict, “we will not let you do that part of the job or be involved in that area.”
On Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to work with DOGE to “reduce the size of the federal workforce and only hire essential positions.”
DOGE has faced some initial difficulties on the court side, as a federal judge temporarily blocked Musk and his team from accessing Treasury Department documents, which include sensitive information like Social Security numbers and bank account information of millions of Americans.
The administration and several key Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have criticized the court’s move against DOGE. Johnson spoke out Tuesday morning, saying the court should “step back” and let DOGE do its job.
Cao Phong (according to ABC, CNN, BBC)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ty-phu-elon-musk-bi-chat-van-ve-tinh-minh-bach-cua-doge-va-cac-xung-dot-loi-ich-post334143.html
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