Elon Musk has shared a photo of himself standing in the Oval Office wearing an oversized "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hat. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted the image on his X platform late Thursday, where he can be seen grinning in front of President Donald Trump’s desk. Social media users quickly noted key items in the background, including a replica of the football World Cup trophy—a nod to the 2026 tournament, which the US is set to host. Also visible was a small object on the Resolute Desk resembling a pager, similar to the ones Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently gifted Trump. Musk's role in the Trump administration Musk has been closely aligned with Trump since being appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force aimed at cutting federal spending by up to $2 trillion. One of Musk’s most controversial moves has been his push to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides humanitarian aid to over 100 countries. He has called the agency a “criminal organization” that should “die,” as per The New York Post. His department also recently gained access to the Treasury’s payment system in an attempt to block funding to USAID—a move that was met with backlash from lawmakers and civil servants. A federal judge has since limited DOGE’s access to specific individuals. Calls for investigation Senior Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into potential national security breaches, expressing concern that Musk and his team may have accessed classified government data. They are particularly focused on DOGE’s activities within the Office of Personnel Management, the US Treasury, and USAID. The White House has defended Musk’s role, maintaining that he is acting under Trump's directive to improve government efficiency. However, critics argue that his actions reflect an attempt to consolidate power rather than implement genuine fiscal reforms, as per The Post. (With inputs from The New York Post)
