Elon Musk Designated as "Special Government Employee" Amid Controversy

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The White House announced on Monday that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been classified as a "special government employee." This designation permits Musk to work for the federal government while exempting him from certain financial disclosure requirements typically imposed on government employees, as reported by officials, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Musk's role comes as he collaborates with President Donald Trump on a cost-cutting initiative named the Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to reduce the size of the U.S. government. Although Musk does not receive a government paycheck, he oversees contracts valued at billions with the Pentagon and intelligence agencies through SpaceX. His recent actions, including advocating for a reduction in the U.S. Agency for International Development, have drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers, who express concern over Musk’s influence within the federal government, considering him an unelected billionaire with excessive power.

Critics, including ethics professor Kathleen Clark, argue that the "special government employee" status may hinder accountability regarding Musk’s potential conflicts of interest.

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