Elon Musk Faces Criticism in the Oval Office: The Beginning of His Downfall?

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has recently come under fire after appearing in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump to discuss the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This agency, led by Musk, aims to cut federal spending, but its creation has sparked concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and Musk’s growing influence in the federal government.

The Oval Office Incident

On February 11, 2025, Musk, accompanied by his 4-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii (commonly referred to as Lil X), attended a press conference in the Oval Office. During the event, President Trump signed an executive order granting more authority to DOGE. The order mandates that federal agencies may only hire one new employee for every four employees who leave, effectively reducing the size of the federal workforce.

Musk defended these cost-cutting measures and dismissed concerns about conflicts of interest and lack of transparency. (Source)

Public and Media Reactions

Musk’s appearance in the Oval Office sparked widespread backlash.

CNN host Anderson Cooper had a heated exchange with former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu regarding Musk’s claims about federal spending. Cooper criticized Musk for failing to provide evidence supporting his statements and expressed concerns over the accuracy of the information he presented. (Source)

On The View, host Whoopi Goldberg reminded Musk that he was not an elected official and questioned his authority in making decisions that impact the federal government. She emphasized that “nobody elected” Musk and criticized the extent of his budget cuts. (Source)

Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest and Transparency

Musk’s leadership of DOGE has raised significant concerns over potential conflicts of interest, especially given that his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have major contracts with the federal government. According to the Associated Press, Musk has been designated as a special government employee, which allows him to be subject to less stringent ethics and financial disclosure rules than regular government officials. However, this has led to controversy over whether Musk is using his position to advance personal interests. (Source)

Additionally, there are concerns about Musk and his team gaining access to sensitive government data and systems without sufficient oversight. This raises questions about the legality and transparency of DOGE’s operations. (Source)

Reactions from Lawmakers and Experts

Democratic lawmakers have expressed deep concerns over Musk’s increasing power within the government. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland accused Musk of leading a “coup from within” by accumulating unchecked and potentially illegal authority. He vowed to do everything in his power to prevent this. (Source)

Don Moynihan, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, described Musk’s actions and DOGE’s operations as “alarming” and “unprecedented.” He voiced concerns over Musk and his team—who are not official government personnel—gaining access to sensitive federal data while Congress has little oversight or control over their activities. (Source)

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in federal government affairs through DOGE has sparked significant controversy and raised concerns about conflicts of interest, transparency, and unchecked power. As he continues to push for budget cuts and government restructuring, it is crucial to ensure rigorous oversight and open public discussion about his role and influence in government operations.

For more details on this event, watch the following video:

Musk Grilled In Oval Office Over Conflicts | The View