As a government employee, Musk will be bound by a federal law making it a crime to knowingly participate in government matters where he has a financial interest.

Musk's status as a special government employee gives him protection from typical ethics disclosures that other Trump administration members must fill out.

Elon Musk will work under President Donald Trump as a “special government employee,” designating Musk as an unpaid employee of the federal government with fewer restrictions than full-time employees,

The White House is insisting that Elon Musk will recuse himself if he finds conflicts with his financial holdings during his efforts through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).