· Government action
White House confirms Musk is serving as a 'special government employee' while running his companies
What he said or did
A White House official said Musk was working for President Trump as a special government employee, a status usually limited to 130 days a year that carries lighter financial-disclosure requirements than regular federal jobs. Musk had a government email address and office space in the White House complex (AP).
Background
Musk remained CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, which holds billions of dollars in federal contracts and is regulated by several agencies, while leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort created on 20 January 2025.
Official response
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Musk has abided by all applicable federal laws
; Trump said Elon can't do and won't do anything without our approval
(Fortune). The White House did not say whether Musk's financial disclosure would be public (Fortune).
What happened next
Musk announced on 28 May 2025 that his scheduled time as a special government employee was ending.
Sources
- Associated Press (via WCAX)3 Feb 2025
- Fortune4 Feb 2025
This entry records what was publicly said or done, as reported by the sources above. Quotes are attributed to the person who made them.
