White House confirms Elon Musk is a 'special government employee’ who could avoid publicly disclosing finances and conflicts of interest—and will only work for 130 days a year

Elon Musk in front of a large mural of the U.S. founding members. (Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

• Elon Musk has been granted a special designation that allows him to serve on boards and advisories without the requirement that he make the public disclosures of a regular government worker—including about his finances. The position’s temporary status could explain Musk’s blitz of activity.

Elon Musk has a title in the White House more official than President Donald Trump’s “first buddy.”