Elon Musk yet to disclose finances, potential conflicts of interest
What's the story
Elon Musk, recently appointed by President Donald Trump to spearhead a cost-cutting initiative, has yet to publicly file an ethics form revealing his finances and potential conflicts of interest. Legal experts say as a temporary federal worker, Musk is required to fill out the same ethics form as Cabinet officials. Unlike other confirmed appointees who filed disclosures and divested from conflicts, nothing for Musk exists on the federal ethics website.
Role clarification
Musk's role and disclosure requirements under scrutiny
The White House appointed Musk as a special government employee on February 3, a position that entails working for the federal government for approximately a third of the year. Ethics professor Kathleen Clark stressed that people in executive power are required to file publicly available financial disclosure forms. Columbia Law School professor Richard Briffault concurred with Clark's claim.
Disclosure waiver
Waivers and compliance: Musk's case
Special government employees can be exempted from filing if their work is unlikely to create conflicts of interest. However, Briffault said that considering Musk's wide-ranging interests, it would be difficult to meet that standard. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Musk is "filing the proper financial disclosure" and complying with federal laws but didn't confirm if Trump signed a waiver for him.
Disclosure inquiry
Senator Schiff questions Musk's financial disclosure status
Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, has also asked if Musk has completed the financial disclosure or received a waiver. Schiff stressed, "If Elon Musk is now a government employee, he is subject to conflicts of interest law." On Monday, Trump fired the head of the Office of Government Ethics, appointed under former President Joe Biden.
Conflict clarification
Musk's response to conflict of interest concerns
Responding to concerns, Musk said any conflict of interest would be obvious to the public. "Am I doing something that benefits my companies or not? It's totally obvious," he said. Trump backed this saying they would prevent any lack of transparency or conflict of interest. Despite Tesla and SpaceX's heavy interaction with federal agencies, Musk said there's no conflict on Defense Department contracts as he doesn't deal with individual contracts.