Billionaire Elon Musk‘s star turn on the Donald Trump campaign has been rewarded with placement on a new government efficiency commission that has raised a wave of ethical questions.
Dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE in reference to an internet meme, the effort has been hailed by Republicans concerned about spending levels and scrutinized by critics who point to Musk’s close relationship with Trump and extensive contracts with federal agencies.
“Putting the world’s richest government contractor in charge of a project to cut government programs and regulations is the definition of a conflict of interest,” said Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics under former President Barack Obama. “If the Trump administration adopts Musk’s recommendations, the government could be putting the American taxpayers’ money to work for Musk…
