Elon Musk is once again in the firing line, with the tech billionaire facing harsh questioning about his role as part of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk has been tasked with trying to slash a mere $2 trillion from the federal spend, and as part of this, he's been cutting jobs and gutting whole departments.
There's been a vocal backlash against Elon Musk's cuts from government officials and civilians alike, with violence erupting at Tesla showrooms, boycotts galore, and his net worth taking a significant hit.
Despite announcing he'll step down from the head of the DOGE at the end of 130 days, Musk has vowed to keep making cuts. He's now faced some tough questioning from Fox News' Jessica Tarlov, asking whether his closeness to President Donald Trump and ability to destroy departments could be seen as a conflict of interests. Calling the world's richest man to task, Tarlov asked: "So 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.
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"Tesla gets billions in subsidies. How do you explain that to the American people?”
Seemingly dodging (or should that be DOGEing?) the question, Musk said: "Well, everything that DOGE does is an open book so we’re, I think, the most transparent action, most transparent organization in government ever."
He went on to add: "I am under such an extreme spotlight, so much scrutiny that it is literally impossible for me to get away with anything nefarious, obviously nor do I wish to."
Still, ABC News claims that SpaceX and Tesla been awarded at least $18 billion in federal contracts over the past 10 years, with Tarlov previously calling him out over it.
Sharing a clip of her interview on X, Tarlov faced support and critiques in almost equal measure.
Backing Mr. Musk, one person said: "You looked so disgusting and miserable while he spoke! The hate you have for Elon and DOGE is so apparent."
Another added: "You ask a question, already thinking you know the answer. Your disdainful facial expressions & tone of voice say it all."
Saying that Tarlov was right to question his actions, someone else chimed in saying: "100% NOT an answer to your question. He proved he was a charlatan, and Fox needed to be honest with its viewers by offering that criticism but nothing: crickets from Fox camera personalities."
Someone concluded: "Musk completely dodged her actual question. Most of us realize he’s guilty as hell."
Tarlov's tough questioning comes after Musk previously claimed that Tesla won't be immune to Trump's import tariffs on vehicles, although many still disagree with him.
Even after Musk steps away from the DOGE, and even if it disbands, some are concerned that his revitalized relationship with the POTUS could have things going in his favor for the next four years.