Elon Musk appears with Trump and tries to claim ‘Doge’ team is transparent

Key presidential ally, whose agency has operated in secrecy, also makes claim – without evidence – of fraud at USAid

Elon Musk claimed in the Oval Office on Tuesday that his so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) was providing maximum transparency as it bulldozed its way through the federal government, remarks contradicted by the reality of how he has operated in deep secrecy.

The appearance from Musk was the first time he had taken questions from the news media since his arrival in Washington, and he used his time standing next to Donald Trump at the Resolute Desk to defend the aggressive cost-cutting measures the Doge team has pursued.

Topics

Appearing With Trump, Musk Makes Broad Claims of Federal Fraud Without Proof

The billionaire, whose federal cost-cutting team has been operating in secrecy, asserted that he had uncovered waste and fraud across the bureaucracy, without offering evidence.
The New York Times - 2h
Elon Musk defends DOGE as Trump orders agencies to comply with cuts

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, took questions for the first time since the president gave him broad authority to overhaul the executive branch.
CBS News - 6h
Elon Musk grilled about DOGE transparency, conflicts in Oval Office

Elon Musk had not faced reporters since taking the lead on Trump's mandate to dismantle much of the federal government.
ABC News - 8h
Trump Argues That Courts Cannot Block Elon Musk’s DOGE Team From Treasury Systems

The president’s lawyers argued that the distinction between civil servants and political appointees was unworkable and unconstitutional. A hearing is set for Friday.
The New York Times - 1d
How Elon Musk is using tech to DOGE the government

Elon Musk is using his tech and leadership playbook in a crusade against the federal bureaucracy as he and his allies attempt to gain access to sensitive information and use emerging tech to speed ...
The Hill - 2d
Who is part of DOGE leader Elon Musk's family?

Elon Musk is taking an influential Washington role but remains private about his family and life out of the spotlight.
The Hill - 3d
Trump says Elon Musk and DOGE will review "just about" every federal agency

President Trump said nearly every federal agency in the U.S. government could fall under the scrutiny of Elon Musk and the White House's Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. CBS News ...
CBS News - 4d
How Trump is testing checks and balances through Elon Musk's DOGE

NBC News' Laura Jarrett looks at whether there are legal paths to block recent moves by President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
NBC News - 4d
Pres. Trump gives Elon Musk and DOGE permission to look at Pentagon

President Donald Trump continues his efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, including the Pentagon, with the help of Elon Musk and his DOGE commission. NBC News Correspondents Kelly ...
NBC News - 4d

More from The Guardian

Middle East crisis live: fears grow for Israel-Gaza ceasefire after Netanyahu threat

Israel’s prime minister said he would end the ceasefire if Hamas failed to free Israeli hostages by midday on Saturday. Displacing Palestinians from their Gaza Strip and West Bank territories ...
The Guardian - 14m
Tycoon profited after India relaxed border security rules for energy park

Exclusive: Military experts raise concerns over change to protocols on Pakistan border to allow project that was handed to billionaire Gautam Adani. The Indian government relaxed national security ...
The Guardian - 3h
She said no: marriages in China plummet to record low

Rate of marriages in China lowest since record keeping began in 1986, with cost of living and pushback against traditional gender roles contributing factors. Marriages in China plunged 20% to a ...
The Guardian - 1h
Modi heads to US in mission to dodge a tit-for-tat tariff battle

Prime minister hoping to revive ‘bromance’ of Trump’s first term despite US president calling India ‘a very big abuser’. The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, is heading to Washington for ...
The Guardian - 4h
China tops list of countries trying to silence exiled dissidents over past decade, study shows

Russia, Turkey and Egypt also among worst perpetrators of transnational repression around the globe. A quarter of the world’s countries have engaged in transnational repression – targeting ...
The Guardian - 3h