On Tuesday, Elon Musk made a notable public appearance at the White House to advocate for the rapid and significant reductions he is initiating throughout the federal government, acknowledging that errors have occurred and may continue to arise.

Standing beside the Resolute Desk with his young son, Musk received praise from President Trump for his role in the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. The President noted that shocking findings of wasteful expenditures had been uncovered. Subsequently, Trump signed an executive order aimed at broadening Musk’s influence while proceeding with the downsizing of the federal workforce.

While there are growing concerns regarding his accumulation of power without proper accountability, Musk portrayed himself as an open book during his first interaction with reporters since his appointment to the Trump administration as a special government employee. In a lighthearted moment, he likened the intense scrutiny he faces regarding his extensive influence over federal agencies to a “daily proctology exam.”

He asserted that information from DOGE is being shared via its website and on X, Musk’s social media platform. However, the DOGE website appears to lack substantial information, and many posts on X often omit critical details, such as specific programs being terminated and the extent of the organization’s access.

Furthermore, the White House seems to be taking measures to restrict independent oversight. Recently, the inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development was dismissed just a day after issuing a warning that monitoring $8.2 billion in humanitarian aid had become nearly impossible following DOGE’s restructuring of the agency.

▶ Learn more about Musk’s insights on DOGE