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Elon Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in surprise White House appearance

The world's richest man took questions for the first time since he was appointed to lead a sweeping government cost-cutting effort.

"I hope that the court system is going to allow us to do what we have to do," Trump said on Tuesday, referring to recent judgments that have temporarily halted his efforts to shrink government, including through an employee buyout programme. Elon Musk denied leading a "hostile takeover" of the US government and defended his cost-cutting plans as he made a surprise first appearance at the White House on Tuesday. The world's richest man took questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he stood next to President Donald Trump, who has tasked him with slashing the size and spending of the federal government.

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