Elon Musk's pentagon audit stirs conflict of interest fears
The President of the USA announced that Elon Musk will conduct an audit at the Pentagon. Donald Trump expects Musk to uncover abuses and fraud amounting to "billions of dollars."
Musk, as a special government employee, is tasked with eliminating fraud and waste in the federal administration. He will serve in this role for fewer than 130 days a year. His role also includes reducing employment among government workers.
Musk and his team, associated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have taken control of key government agencies, gaining access to data on federal employees and taxpayers, as well as the Treasury Department's payment system. Among Musk's collaborators are young university graduates who previously interned at companies associated with the billionaire.
Critics point to the lack of specialised knowledge within DOGE to restructure the Pentagon and concerns about a conflict of interest, as Musk's companies have significant contracts with the Pentagon. Democrats and trade unions warn against the disclosure of secret military programmes.
One of Musk's controversial actions is his role in closing the foreign aid agency USAID, which he described as a "criminal organisation that must die." Democrats announced they would file lawsuits, claiming Musk's actions are illegal. Meanwhile, Trump maintains that they are in line with his wishes.
President Donald Trump announced that Musk may soon also tackle the Department of Education.
The billionaire's disastrous result. There is a new poll
Meanwhile, the latest poll by "The Economist" and YouGov shows that support for Elon Musk among Republican Party supporters has significantly dropped. Not long ago, 47% of Republicans wanted Musk to have influence over the government, but now it's only 26%.
