Panelists on CNN descended into a shouting match Thursday night as a guest argued that tech billionaire Elon Musk has “achieved more than any American.”

CNN host Abby Phillip criticized Musk, the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), for having a White House badge despite not having undergone an FBI background check before entering President Donald Trump’s administration. In response, New York trial attorney Arthur Aidala argued Musk’s achievements with SpaceX and the tech world exempts him from needing a background check and is perfectly qualified to have an office in the White House.

“Elon has an office in the White House, he has a White House badge, as far as I know he has not passed a background check, he hasn’t passed an FBI check, he hasn’t disclosed anything federal employees are supposed to,” Phillips alleged.

“Because he’s achieved more than any American,” Aidala interjected. “Who’s gotten us to the moon? Who’s gotten us into space? He’s got the number one car company.”

WATCH: 

Fellow panelist Van Lathan scoffed at Aidala’s argument, saying the U.S. went to outer space long before SpaceX was established.

“That’s the government! Excuse me, that’s the government,” Aidala said. “It takes a lot of manpower and brainpower to do what he’s done.”

Phillips agreed that Musk is a “very important person,” but that checks and balances are supposed to prevent him from holding too much governmental power. Lathan then questioned why Musk holds such said importance in the Trump administration.

“Why is it a given that Elon Musk is so important? What is so important about Elon Musk? I’m asking, seriously. He’s achieved a lot, but in terms of importance, he’s made a lot of money for himself and in terms of how Elon Musk has affected people’s lives, Dr. [Martin Luther King Jr.] is important,” Lathan argued, sparking another debate.

“How many people has Elon Musk employed,” Aidala pushed back. “It’s really what you just said. [Trump and Musk] became friends, they became buddies, and that’s why he’s got the influence.”

Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky claimed Trump made Musk important by giving him significant influence on the government. She accused Trump of handing over more power to tech billionaires including Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos than members in the legislative branch.

Trump appointed Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in November to lead DOGE, which he said intended to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal Agencies.” Ramaswamy stepped down from his position to apparently run for governor of Ohio.

Though DOGE’s originally intended to slash the size and budget of the U.S. government, Trump signed an executive order Monday directing DOGE to prioritize “modernizing federal technology and software to maximize efficiency and productivity,” without any mention of budgetary cuts. Musk stated on Monday that DOGE will “improve government’s efficiency” and end “rampant inflation.”

 All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

• About
• Latest Posts

Ryan Meilstrup

Latest posts by Ryan Meilstrup (see all)

• Bill Maher confronts leftist guest on blaming ‘whitey’ for Islamic oppression - December 8, 2025
• Don Lemon doesn’t push back as protester mocks Charlie Kirk in unhinged rant, calls alleged shooter ‘patriot’ - October 13, 2025
• ‘Arrest them all’: Dr. Phil shows no mercy for Texas Dems fleeing state over redistricting - August 13, 2025

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.