Elon Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in White House debut

Elon Musk (53) denied leading a "hostile takeover" of the US government and defended his cost-cutting plans as he made a surprise first appearance at the White House on Tuesday.The world's richest man took questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he stood next to President Donald Trump, who has tasked him with slashing the size and spending of the federal government.Trump then signed an order giving Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) more authority to cut the federal workforce. It instructed the heads of government agencies to comply with Doge.The agency has been criticised by Democrats who have accused it of a lack of transparency, and its efforts have also been hampered by legal challenges.But Musk, who was questioned by reporters for the first time since Trump took office last month, described sweeping government cuts as "common sense" measures that are "not draconian or radical"."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."Not elected The billionaire technology entrepreneur, who himself was appointed and not elected, described federal workers as an "unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government" that he said has "more power than any elected representative"."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."Musk was also asked about a recent false claim that the US government was sending millions of dollars worth of condoms to Gaza. "Some of the things that I say will be incorrect and should be corrected," Musk replied.In the first weeks of Trump's term, Musk has spearheaded the effort to rapidly shrink the federal government. Doge representatives have entered various departments to monitor spending, offered millions of workers an exit route and moved to freeze federal funding as well as the work of agencies such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID)."We found fraud and abuse," Trump said of Musk's work on Tuesday, without providing evidence. He estimated more than US$1 trillion in wasteful spending would be discovered although gave no further details.The vast cost-cutting drive has been criticised repeatedly by opponents including senior Democrats and those who say it will have significant repercussions both in the US and internationally."An unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said recently. He said Democrats would work to block Musk's efforts by introducing specific language into spending bills.But with Republicans holding a majority in both chambers of Congress, Trump's agenda has faced more pressing hurdles in the courtroom."I hope that the court system is going to allow us to do what we have to do," Trump said on Tuesday, referring to recent judgments that have temporarily halted his efforts to shrink government, including through an employee buyout programme.Critics of Doge have also pointed to potential conflicts of interest given Musk's many business interests. Democrats have accused him of personally benefitting from some of the changes the Trump administration is trying to push through.

Elon Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in White House debut

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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Elon Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in White House debut

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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