Key presidential ally, whose agency has operated in secrecy, also makes claim – without evidence – of fraud at USAid

Elon Musk claimed in the Oval Office on Tuesday that his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) was providing maximum transparency as it bulldozed its way through the federal government, remarks at odds with the reality of how he has operated in deep secrecy.

The appearance from Musk was the first time he has taken questions from the news media since his arrival in Washington, and he used his time standing next to Donald Trump at the Resolute Desk to defend the aggressive cost-cutting measures the Doge team has pursued.