The White House says that Musk is a “special government employee”

A White House official says that Elon Musk is working as a “special government employee” in the US and has an office space in the presidential mansion.

Elon Musk is working for President Donald Trump as a “special government employee”, according to a White House official, consolidating his controversial role in the administration but avoiding some dissemination rules that are typical of federal workers.

The official, who spoke on Monday on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues, indicated that Musk has a government email address and office space in the White House complex.

Musk, the richest man in the world, has received broad freedom from Trump to reduce the size of the federal government. On Monday morning, the headquarters of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was closed abruptly. The Musk team, known as the Government Efficiency Department, has also received access to payment systems in the Treasury Department.

Democrats fear that Musk is consolidating power within the federal government, acting without accountability and potentially against law.

Government's special employees are generally appointed for up to 130 days. It is not clear how the standard rules will apply on ethical agreements and financial disclosures to Musk, who has billions of dollars in federal contracts with Spacex, his rocket company.

Musk does not receive a salary for his work, said the White House official. According to federal guidelines, it is unlikely to submit a public report of financial dissemination. The official did not provide additional details apart from saying that Musk is following the law.

Trump pointed out his approval of Musk's work on Sunday night after returning to Washington after spending the weekend in Florida.

“I think Elon is doing a good job. It is a great cost reducer, ”Trump said. “Sometimes we will not agree with him and we will not go where he wants to go. But I think he's doing a great job. ”