On Tuesday, Elon Musk addressed the media in the Oval Office, declaring that his newly established “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge) was committed to utmost transparency while making significant changes within the federal government. However, these claims were starkly at odds with the secretive manner in which he has been operating.

This was Musk’s first interaction with reporters since arriving in Washington, where he stood alongside Donald Trump at the Resolute Desk. He seized the opportunity to justify the aggressive budget cuts being implemented by the Doge team.

Musk asserted, without providing supporting evidence, that officials at the now reduced USAID had engaged in “kickbacks” and claimed that numerous individuals within the government had “managed to amass tens of millions of dollars in net worth while in office.”

His most controversial statement revolved around his claim that the Doge team maintained a high level of transparency while moving through approximately 20 federal agencies to remove career officials and access sensitive data systems.

“We genuinely strive for maximum transparency,” Musk stated, referencing updates shared on X. “I don’t know of any organization that has been more transparent than the Doge organization.”

Contrary to his assertions, Musk has taken significant steps to keep Doge’s operations under wraps, beginning with limiting information about his own involvement. As a “special government employee,” Musk’s financial disclosures are not subject to public access, as confirmed by the White House.

While approximately 40 individuals are believed to be part of the Doge team, details on the actual number remain unclear. Team members have been discreet about their identities, with some reportedly refusing to provide their last names to career officials.

Efforts to maintain confidentiality have been met with challenges. For instance, when it was revealed that a young staffer made controversial posts on an anonymous X account, Musk demanded repercussions for the reporting journalist.

The identities of Doge personnel have emerged not through any overt efforts at transparency, but rather due to the necessity of using official government emails and being listed in employee directories.

Formally, Doge operates under the oversight of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. However, insiders have indicated that Musk exercises considerable power in reshaping the government, sometimes surprising White House officials with his actions.

Musk’s comments coincided with Trump signing new executive orders pertaining to cost-cutting measures, including the Doge-led “workforce optimization initiative,” based on information from a White House official.

Clad in a black “Dark Maga” hat and accompanied by his young son X, Musk positioned himself near the Resolute Desk as Trump signed the orders. While Musk addressed reporters, Trump observed his son with amusement.

When asked about potential conflicts of interest concerning the cuts to agencies investigating regulatory compliance or holding contracts with his companies, Musk downplayed the concerns. “I’m not the one filing contracts. It’s the teams at SpaceX and elsewhere,” he stated.

In response to questions regarding the pace and extent of Doge’s initiatives, Musk reassured reporters that he would quickly rectify any excessive measures, reiterating his approach to cost control from his private ventures. “We all make mistakes, but we will act swiftly to correct any issues,” he added.

Nonetheless, Musk has reacted defensively to criticism aimed at both him and Doge, even promoting posts that suggested defiance against a federal court order temporarily blocking Doge’s access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems over the weekend.