Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration has sparked interest, especially as he was designated to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, a recent court filing clarified that Musk does not hold decision-making authority and is not employed by the DOGE.
Joshua Fisher, the director of the White House Office of Administration, explained that Musk’s role is purely advisory, stating, “Like other senior White House advisors, Mr Musk has no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself.”
Fisher also confirmed that Musk is not an employee of the US DOGE Service or the US DOGE Service Temporary Organisation, in response to a court case filed against Musk by the State of New Mexico. Musk has played a significant role in the Trump administration, especially in improving government efficiency. As a “Special Government Employee” (SGE), he has been tasked with identifying and eliminating “wasteful spending” across federal agencies, leading to thousands of job cuts. This initiative has been a major focus of the Trump administration since the president began his second term last month.
Musk’s involvement has been challenged in around 20 lawsuits filed in federal courts, raising questions about his authority. A federal judge has even scrutinized the extent of Musk’s influence in government operations. Despite this, the administration maintains that Musk’s role is advisory, and while he offers counsel on policy matters, he does not have the power to independently implement government decisions.
Musk’s relationship with Trump has been significant, with the president praising him as a leader in the push to eliminate wasteful spending. When the department was announced in November, Trump described Musk’s contributions as invaluable, saying he had received “great help” from him in the DOGE initiative. Trump has even hinted at asking Musk “to go check to the Department of Education” in the future.