Elon
Musk
REPUBLICAN
Appointed Position:
Special Government Employee
Overview
Elon Musk has built his wealth through companies that benefit from U.S. government funding. Musk’s largest businesses, SpaceX and Tesla, receive a disproportionate amount of their revenue from federal government contracts and subsidies. In his position with DOGE, Musk has acted in ways that will further enrich himself at the expense of American taxpayers.
The Facts
To date, SpaceX and Tesla have received over $20 billion through federal government contracts, over 70% of which comes from contracts awarded to SpaceX by NASA. Between 2023 and 2024, federal contracts represented approximately one-third of SpaceX’s total revenue.
Tesla has benefited from federal subsidies supporting green energy and electric cars. The State Department’s procurement forecast for 2025 initially included plans to purchase $400 million in production units of “Armored Tesla” vehicles, though the forecast was edited to remove all mentions of Tesla on February 12, 2025.
While he directed cuts to the federal workforce through DOGE, at least 12 federal departments and agencies have investigations or complaints filed against Musk and his companies. The EPA, Interior, and Transportation Departments are currently pursuing lawsuits and other actions against SpaceX, which they previously awarded over $500,000 in contracts. Former Tesla workers have also filed complaints to the National Labor Relations Board, which the company admitted in an SEC report as having the potential to impact business operations.
Neuralink, a Musk company developing a neural brain chip, is currently under investigation by the USDA for animal abuse and violating animal testing laws. One of the USDA Inspector Generals overseeing the case, Phyllis Fong, was fired as part of DOGE and President Trump’s efforts to reduce the scope of the federal government.
Musk is personally under investigation by the FEC and SEC over his acquisition of Twitter and activities during the 2024 election.
While his specific role is unclear, statements from the White House indicate that Musk is not technically in charge of DOGE, but “advising” the president on its activities.
What is Musk’s specific relationship with or position within DOGE?
Has Musk directed DOGE staffers to act in a way that exceeds the authority of his real position or otherwise violate the law?
Has Musk directed DOGE staffers to look at agencies or officials investigating his businesses, or the businesses of his friends?
Questions to Track