Reporters pressed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday over whether billionaire Elon Musk had undergone a background check or received security clearance as part of his role in the federal government.
“Can you confirm that Elon Musk is a special government employee?” asked CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.
“I can confirm he’s a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws,” Leavitt said, adding she was unsure about his security clearance status but would check.
Collins followed up, asking if Musk had passed a background check. Leavitt again replied that she did not know but would look into it. When pressed about Musk’s team members, she gave the same answer.
CNN has reported that Musk’s designation means he is not a volunteer but also not a full-time federal worker, and an unnamed source claimed he was given “a top-secret security clearance.” The network also highlighted debate over whether Musk needed a background check at all, given his track record in space exploration.
The discussion comes as Musk’s responsibilities extend beyond government efficiency, with a high-stakes mission involving American astronauts hanging in the balance…
