Elon Musk and President Donald Trump are leading an effort to uncover how federal employees have accumulated vast personal wealth while working government jobs. Through the Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE), Musk is spearheading a review of financial records to determine whether taxpayer money has been used for personal enrichment.
During a White House briefing, Musk raised concerns about bureaucrats who appear to have gained millions despite having salaries that should not allow for such wealth. “There are quite a few people in the bureaucracy who have ostensibly a salary of a few hundred thousand dollars but somehow managed to accrue tens of millions of dollars in net worth,” he said. “We’re just curious as to where it came from.”
Trump signed an executive order granting DOGE expanded oversight, allowing Musk’s team to demand transparency from federal agencies. The order directs agencies to coordinate with DOGE on staffing reductions, financial audits, and the elimination of wasteful spending.
The administration has already announced the termination of $881 million in federal contracts, though neither Musk nor Trump has provided details on the specific contracts or why they were cut. Additionally, DOGE has reportedly been analyzing net worth data for federal employees, though it remains unclear how the agency is obtaining this information.
Among the agencies being scrutinized is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where concerns have been raised over financial management. Trump has also alleged that some federal contracts have continued paying individuals for years after their terms expired, though evidence supporting these claims has not been released.
The administration’s aggressive push for government transparency has triggered lawsuits from labor unions and state attorneys general, who argue that DOGE is overstepping its authority. Despite this, Musk and Trump have vowed to press forward with their investigation into government officials’ finances.
