Musk denies the “hostile acquisition” of the government in the debut of the White House

Elon Musk denied leading a “hostile acquisition” of the United States government and defended its cost reduction plans when it made a first surprise appearance in the White House on Tuesday.

The richest man in the world took questions from journalists in the Oval office while standing alongside President Donald Trump, who has responsible for cutting the size and expenditure of the federal government.

Trump then signed an order giving the musk Government Efficiency Department (Dux) More authority to cut the federal workforce. He instructed the heads of government agencies to comply with Doge.

The agency has been criticized by Democrats who have accused her of lack of transparency, and her efforts have also been hindered by legal challenges.

But Musk, who was questioned by journalists for the first time since Trump assumed the position last month, described the courts of the government as measures of “common sense” that “are not draconian or radical.”

“People voted for an important government reform and that is what people are going to get,” he said. “That’s what democracy is about.”

“I hope to be examined,” he added. “It’s not as if I think I can get yours.”

The multi -million dollar technology entrepreneur, who was appointed and not chosen, described federal workers as a “fourth branch of the undesidated government” who said he has “more power than any chosen representative.”

The 53 -year -old owner of Tesla, X and Spacex used a black cap in America, again broke the occasional joke with the journalists who asked about their critics. He had his little son, who was presented by Trump, on his shoulders for part of the press conference.

“It is not optional for us to reduce federal expenses,” Musk said. “It is essential. It is essential that the United States remains solvent as a country.”

Musk was also asked about a recent false statement that the United States government was sending millions of dollars to condoms to Gaza. “Some of the things I say will be incorrect and should be corrected,” Musk replied.

In the first weeks of Trump’s mandate, Musk has led the effort to quickly reduce the federal government. Doge representatives have entered several departments to monitor spending, offered millions of workers an exit route and moved to freeze federal funds, as well as the work of agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID).

“We find fraud and abuse,” Trump said on Musk’s work on Tuesday, without providing evidence. He estimated that more than $ 1 billion would be discovered in wasteful expenses, although he did not give more details.

The vast cost of cost reduction has been repeatedly criticized by opponents, including superior democrats and those who say it will have significant repercussions both in the United States and internationally.

“A government in the shadow not chosen is carrying out a hostile acquisition of the federal government,” said the leader of the Chuck Schumer Senate minority. He said the Democrats would work to block Musk’s efforts by introducing a specific language in spending invoices.

But with Republicans who have a majority in both Congress cameras, Trump’s agenda has faced more pressing obstacles in the courtroom.

“I hope that the judicial system allows us to do what we have to do,” Trump said Tuesday, referring to recent judgments who have temporarily stopped their efforts to reduce the government, Even through an employee purchase program.

Doge’s critics have also pointed out possible conflicts of interests given the many commercial interests of Musk. Democrats have accused him of personally benefiting from some of the changes that the Trump administration is trying to promote.

Musk said the public could take their own opinion about possible conflicts. Trump said that if the White House thought there was a lack of transparency or a conflict of interest, “we would not let him make that segment or look in that area.”

Trump then signed an executive order that told Doge to “significantly” the size of the federal workforce. The order also requires government offices to “undertake plans for large -scale reductions in force.”

He also says that once a hiring freezing ends that Trump signed on his first day, that the agencies should not hire more than one person for every four that are departed.

A recent survey of the US BBC partner CBS news He indicated that most Americans are in favor of Musk’s work, but they don’t agree on how much influence should have.

He suggested that the particular republicans supported their efforts to reduce federal expenditure and foreign aid.

The survey indicated a large extent favorable for Trump policies, however, about 66% of people said they wanted them to concentrate more on reducing prices.

One of the agencies that has been most affected by the cost reduction unit is USAID.

On Tuesday, the agency’s inspector was fired, one day after publishing a report that criticizes the plans to put the vast majority of the agency staff on a license and close help programs backed by the US. UU. The world.