Should Tesla board, compliance rein in Musk? Expert says tech tycoon ‘doubly untouchable’

“How are you running your other businesses?” Fox Business host Larry Kudlow asked billionaire Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of Tesla and Space X, on March 11.

“With great difficulty,” Musk replied with a sigh—against the backdrop of plunging Tesla shares.

That may be because the South African-born billionaire, who likes to have a finger in every pie, may be spread too thin.  

In addition to being a serial tech founder with a say in his other businesses including X and xAI, Musk is an advocate for cryptocurrency, the father of fourteen, a tenacious poster on his social media platform X, a vocal champion for right wing political parties in Europe, including Germany, and the world’s richest person. He also has a close relationship with President Donald Trump after becoming his largest campaign donor, contributing directly and through his companies over $288 million to Trump’s 2024 reelection efforts. Musk also has reportedly promised another $100 million to Trump’s political operation, which would be an unprecedented cash gift by a White House staffer whose businesses benefit from federal contracts.  

But his most visible day job now is overseeing the White House’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since January, following the President’s announcement last November to create a group focused on cutting government spending. Trump, 78, empowered Musk by designating him a special government employee (SGE): an officer or employee of the executive branch, legislative branch, or independent federal agency with temporary authority to perform specific duties, according to U.S. code.