The White House has firmly rejected claims that tech mogul Elon Musk is the official leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative spearheaded by President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that, while Musk oversees the DOGE effort at Trump’s direction, he is not its administrator nor a federal employee. Instead, the administration later identified Amy Gleason as the acting administrator, though details about her role remain scarce.

The debate over Musk’s status erupted during a Monday federal court hearing, where a judge questioned whether Musk heads DOGE—an agency Trump created by rebranding the United States Digital Service (USDS) via executive order.

Justice Department lawyer Bradley Humphreys offered little clarity, stating only that Musk is a “close adviser” to the president.

Leavitt emphasized that “career officials” and appointees assist Musk, with federal employees already “onboarded” to support the effort across agencies.

Yet, she dodged specifics, announcing only that Musk would join Trump’s first cabinet meeting alongside Senate-confirmed officials like the Secretary of Defense and Attorney General.

Musk, who has championed DOGE’s mission to slash government spending through layoffs and budget cuts, has fueled perceptions of leadership.

He’s staffed the agency with employees from his companies, frequently posted about its work on X, appeared with Trump in the Oval Office to tout workforce reductions, and brandished a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Action Committee to symbolize cuts.

“We’re in Alice in Wonderland,” Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, said, criticizing the administration’s ambiguity. “If Musk were the administrator, Senate confirmation and conflict-of-interest laws would apply.”

The controversy deepened as 21 USDS staff resigned Tuesday, alleging DOGE’s actions pose “significant security risks,” according to the Associated Press.

Their letter accused the administration of undermining their oath to serve Americans.

Meanwhile, lawsuits challenging DOGE’s legality have forced the White House to address Musk’s role in court. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, presiding over a related case, raised concerns about DOGE’s constitutionality, questioning whether its leaders are properly authorized under the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause.

Experts like William Resh of USC note that Musk’s involvement blurs traditional lines. While the White House labels him a “special government employee” compliant with federal laws, his influence exceeds typical advisory roles, which don’t carry executive authority.

Recent friction emerged when Musk’s demand for federal workers to list five accomplishments was softened to optional at some agencies, following pushback from Trump appointees over legal and security concerns.

As DOGE’s aggressive reforms stir turmoil—evidenced by earlier USDS firings and ongoing litigation—the White House insists Gleason, not Musk, holds the reins.

Yet, with Musk’s high-profile presence and Gleason’s low profile, questions linger over who truly leads Trump’s efficiency crusade.

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