The White House clarified Musk's identity, saying he is not a government efficiency department employee.

Golden Finance reported that although Musk’s name seems to represent a newly established government efficiency department to the outside world, the White House clarified that Musk does not work for the department. Joshua Fisher, Director of the White House Office of Administration, stated that Musk is a senior advisor to the president and his authority is not higher than other senior White House officials. Fisher said on Monday evening that Musk’s role should be viewed separately from the government efficiency department he supports.