Elon Musk, a billionaire tech CEO and the public face of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, has not obtained a conflict of interest waiver despite his expansive business portfolio that intersects with government work. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Musk has pledged to avoid conflicts of interest and is abiding by all applicable laws. Musk’s position as a “special government employee” allows him to lend his expertise to the government without leaving his private-sector job.
Musk’s businesses, including SpaceX and Tesla, have received government subsidies and contracts, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Musk’s satellite internet service Starlink is being considered for use in various federal departments, and his relationship with China has also drawn scrutiny. Musk is subject to legal restrictions as a special government employee to prevent conflicts of interest.
While it is unclear if Musk sought or received a conflict of interest waiver, how he handles potential conflicts of interest is under scrutiny given the broad scope of his business interests and influence across the federal government. Concerns have been raised by ethics officials about the lack of transparency regarding any potential waivers for Musk, with some questioning the appropriateness of granting him one given his substantial wealth and government contracts. The White House has not publicly disclosed any waivers granted to Musk, unlike another special government employee, David Sacks, who received a waiver for specific matters related to the digital asset industry.
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