'Explain that to the American people': Fox host confronts Musk over DOGE conflicts of interest

02 April

Image via Screengrab.

Tech billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk dodged a question Tuesday about his conflicts of interests as a White House advisor who continues to run his businesses while working the federal government.

“You’ve been making cuts to a lot of the agencies that have open investigations and regulatory battles with your companies. At the same time, you continue to get billions in government contracts. Tesla gets billions in subsidies. How do you explain that to the American people?” Fox News host Jessica Tarlov asked Musk on her show.

Musk did not directly address the questions, but said DOGE was an “open book.”

“If anyone has a concern about any one of those actions, they can bring that up,” he said.

Still, the DOGE head didn’t seem to have a clear answer to her question.

Amid the Trump administration and DOGE’s efforts to cut the size of the federal government, employees have been terminated from multiple agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Authority, Securities and Exchange Commission, Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation.

The NLRB has initiated several cases against Musk's businesses, including a claim that SpaceX unlawfully terminated eight workers in 2022 for an open letter their lawyers stated was a protest against Musk's "inappropriate, disparaging, sexually charged comments" on Twitter. These cases are still in progress, and the agency has recorded 14 active unfair labor practice cases against Tesla.

But in February, the NLRB was essentially shut down after President Donald Trump fired one of its board members and left it without the quorum it needs to function.

Since Trump’s inauguration in January, Musk has been wielded significant influence in the new administration.

In January, Trump dismissed the inspector general of the Transportation Department shortly after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating accidents associated with a mobile app that allows Tesla drivers to control their cars remotely. Musk is the CEO of Tesla.

Moreover, Michael Whitaker, the FAA administrator, resigned on Inauguration Day after Musk sought his departure. Whitaker had suggested imposing a $600,000 fine on Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX for allegedly failing to adhere to safety regulations.

However, on Monday, Trump indicated the billionaire’s time in government might be coming to a close.

Trump said Musk should remain at the White House as long as he is willing to manage DOGE, but added that he wants to “go back.”

"I think he's been amazing, but I also think he's got a big company to run," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "And at some point, he's going to be going back. He wants to."

Watch the video below or at this link.

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