Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, has defended his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency. According to Musk, the primary function of DOGE is to ensure that the administration’s executive orders are implemented.
What Happened
During a recent interview, Musk described his role as providing tech support for President Donald Trump. He stated, “What we’re doing here… is making sure that presidential executive orders are actually carried out. If the bureaucracy is fighting the will of the people and preventing the president from implementing what the people want, then what we live in is a bureaucracy and not a democracy.”
Efforts to Enforce Executive Orders
Musk specifically cited efforts to halt taxpayer-funded luxury hotels for undocumented immigrants, stating that DOGE had to intervene to enforce Trump’s directive. Earlier this month, Musk revealed that DOGE found the Federal Emergency Management Agency misusing millions to house migrants in NYC. He claimed that the funds, meant for American disaster relief, were wrongly spent on luxury hotels.
Impact on Federal Agencies
Since Trump returned to office, DOGE has reshaped federal agencies, resulting in thousands of job cuts and several programs being dismantled. Musk, tasked with eliminating wasteful spending, is leading the effort as part of the president’s sweeping government overhaul.
Challenges to Musk’s Influence
The Tesla CEO’s latest comments come amid legal challenges questioning his unchecked influence in the administration. A lawsuit filed by multiple Democratic states seeks to restrict Musk’s access to government systems. Additionally, Musk’s role as a senior advisor to President Trump has also impacted his EV company, with Tesla’s stock struggling since President Trump’s inauguration.
Market Impact
Tesla’s stock has dropped 16.5% from $424.07 on Jan. 21. Analysts have voiced concerns about Musk being distracted, but some maintain a bullish outlook on Tesla. On Tuesday, Tesla’s stock closed at $354.11, slipping 0.49% for the day, with after-hours trading showing a slight uptick of 0.085%.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s role in assisting Trump with tech and supporting DOGE has sparked controversy and raised concerns about his influence in the administration. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Musk’s involvement will impact the government and his own company, Tesla.