Elon Musk denies the apparently surprised government’s “ takeover of the White House – National

Elon Musk Make a rare appearance in the White House on Tuesday, where he denied a takeover of the government following the large cuts he pushed through the federal government.

Musk stood next to the office resolved in the oval office with his four -year -old son X ae a-xii As a American president Donald Trump Sitting behind the desk, praising Musk’s work with his Government Department of Effectiveness (DOGE), saying that they found “shocking” evidence of unnecessary expenses.

Trump has signed an order given to Doge de Musk more authority to continue to reduce the federal workforce, asking the heads of government agencies to comply with Doge.

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Tesla CEO described himself as an open book when he responded to journalists from the Oval Office for the first time since he joined the Trump administration as an employee of the special government.

When you talk about job cuts, he told journalists that it was “not optional” to reduce federal spending, “it is essential”, otherwise the country will go bankrupt because of the payments of interests on The national debt exceeding the budget of the Ministry of Defense.

He also described federal workers as a “fourth branch of the unconstitutional government who is not elected which has” more power than any elected representative “.

When a journalist told Musk that “the detractors say that you orchestrate a hostile takeover of the government and that you did it in a non -transparent manner”, ruled Musk and responded joking: “I have detractors? »»

“The people voted for a major government reform. There should be no doubts about it. It was on the campaign, the president spoke about it with each rally, ”continued Musk. “People voted for a major government reform and that’s what people will get. This is what democracy is used for. »»

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Doge was criticized for a lack of transparency, but Musk said that Doge’s work was underway Shared on its website And on xThe social media platform he has. However, the DOGE website is rare on detailed information – it has a section entitled “Same in star”, for example – and publications on X often lack many details, including programs that are cut and where the organization has access.

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Musk was asked about being apologized for any conflict of interest he may have. “Does that mean that you are actually taking police services yourself?” What are the checks and counterweights in place to guarantee responsibility and transparency? A journalist asked Musk.

“We are actually trying to be as transparent as possible,” replied Musk, referring to what DOGE published on X. “So all our actions are maximum transparent. In fact, I do not know a case where an organization was more transparent than the Doge organization. »»

The White House has also moved to limit independent surveillance. The Inspector General of the US Agency for International Development was dismissed one day after warning that it had become almost impossible to monitor US dollars in humanitarian funds after DOGE began to dismantle the agency .

Musk defended Doge’s work as “simple”, “basic”, “common sense” and “not draconian or radical”.

“I fully expect to be examined and to take a daily proctology exam. Could also camp there, “he added. “It’s not like I thought I can get away with something. I will be examined constantly. But with the support of the president, we can reduce the budget deficit of two Billions to one. »»

When he was asked for false statements that the United States spent $ 50 million in condoms for Gaza and other statements he made about government programs, Musk admitted that he was wrong.

“Some of the things I say will be incorrect and should be corrected. No one can beat 1,000, “he said. He promised that he would act quickly to correct errors and recognized that Doge could also make mistakes.

“I’m not sure that we should send $ 50 million in condoms anywhere, frankly, I’m not sure that it is something that Americans would be really excited,” Musk said. “But you know, if it went to Mozambique instead of Gaza I am like, it’s not as bad, but why do we do that?”

“We move quickly, so we will make mistakes, but we will also repair the mistakes very quickly.”

The executive decree signed by Trump said that a DOGE representative will have to approve almost all new hires, a dramatic consolidation of personnel management through the federal government.

“The agency should not provide vacancies for career meetings that the leader of the DOGE team should not be completed, unless the agency chief only determines the positions must be provided, “said the order.

In addition, the management and budget office will require agencies “no more than one employee for four employees who leave”. There would be exceptions with regard to immigration, the application of the law and public security.

After the surprise appearance of Musk, GrimesThe former friend of the billionaire with whom he shared three children, said that she had no idea that his son was going to be part of the television press conference that took place in the White House.

X AE A-XII was seen sitting in the oval office next to Musk and sometimes moving while his father answered questions from journalists. Viewers went to X to note how “young child” was “half an hour was” polite “.

“Lil X was very polite today!” You have raised it well. He was so cute when he said to Djt ‘please forgive me, I need to pee’ Written in Grimes About the appearance of his son.

Grimes answered At the post, writing: “He should not be in public like that. I haven’t seen that, thank you for alerting me. But I’m glad he is polite. Sigh.”

Grimes, whose legal name is Claire Boucher, also said last month Musk Right arm, Nazi Gesture during his speech during the inauguration of Trump.

“I’m not him. I will not make a statement every time he does something. I can only send love to a world that hurts, ” She wrote.

“I am happy to denounce the Nazi -ISC – and the law on the right. Would that help to clarify things? She added.

– With files from the Associated Press

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