Extract from ABC News
Elon Musk (right) has in recent days attempted to shut down the US government's foreign aid agency. (Reuters: Brandon Bell/Pool)
In short:
Donald Trump says Elon Musk is uncovering "hundreds of billions" of dollars of fraud within the US government, rejecting criticism of Mr Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Mr Musk, a top donor and ally of Mr Trump, has already taken unprecedented steps to shut down the US Agency for International Development and gained access through the US Treasury to the personal and financial data of millions of Americans.
Critics are accusing the SpaceX and Tesla owner of being part of a "billionaire takeover of government".
US President Donald Trump has defended tech billionaire Elon Musk amid alarm at some of the steps taken by his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In an interview aired before the Super Bowl, Mr Trump told Fox News Mr Musk was "not gaining anything" from his work within the US government.
"We're going to find billions, hundreds of billions of dollars, of fraud and abuse," Mr Trump said.
He said the American people had elected him on a platform of eliminating waste within the US government.
"I'm going to tell him very soon, like maybe in 24 hours, to go check the Department of Education … then I'm going to go, 'Go to the military. Let's check the military,'" he said.
Mr Trump said Mr Musk, the world's richest man, had been "a great help" in rooting out unnecessary spending.
The decision to close USAID has triggered protests and condemnation from Democrats. (AP: J. Scott Applewhite)
'Evisceration of democracy'
The SpaceX and Tesla boss has in recent days taken unprecedented steps to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), laying off thousands of employees.
His team at DOGE has also gained access through the US Treasury to the personal and financial data of millions of Americans.
Democratic senator Chris Murphy on Sunday joined a number of opponents warning that Mr Musk and Mr Trump's actions were an "assault on the constitution".
He said Mr Trump was ushering in a "billionaire takeover of government".
"The president wants to be able to decide how and where money is spent so that he can reward his political friends, he can punish his political enemies," Mr Murphy told ABC News talk show This Week.
"That is the evisceration of democracy."
On Friday a federal judge ordered a temporary pause to the administration's plan to put 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave.
A day later another US judge issued an emergency order blocking DOGE from accessing Treasury Department payment systems that contain Americans' sensitive data.
In recent days, the Trump administration has highlighted several government projects Mr Trump believes should be ended or curtailed.
But no evidence of widespread illegal fraud has so far been presented.
Reuters/AFP
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