Did Donald Trump grant Elon Musk access to the US Treasury Department’s payment system?

Billionaire Elon Musk and his government efficiency team have been granted access to the U.S. Treasury Department’s payment system, ending a tense standoff that had lasted for days, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

The move, authorized by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has drawn concerns over potential political influence and security risks related to federal payments.

Government Efficiency Task Force Secures Payment System Access

Musk, who leads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was tasked by President Donald Trump with identifying fraud and waste within federal agencies.


As part of this mandate, Musk sought entry into the Treasury’s payment infrastructure, which handles over $6 trillion annually in payments for Social Security benefits, tax refunds, and government contracts.

Also Read: China, Mexico, and Canada’s response to Donald Trump’s tariffs signals ‘Trade War’—Here’s how it affects Americans

However, his request was initially met with resistance from David Lebryk, a career Treasury official, who was subsequently placed on leave and later retired.

Following his departure, Bessent approved the request, granting Musk’s team the access they had sought, according to the report.

Concerns Over Data Security and Potential Conflicts

The Treasury’s payment system contains sensitive personal data of millions of Americans, raising concerns about how Musk’s involvement could impact security and privacy.

Critics, including Senator Ron Wyden, a senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, expressed alarm over Musk’s ability to oversee payments to government contractors, some of whom compete directly with his own companies.

“Sources tell my office that Treasury Secretary Bessent has granted DOGE full access to this system. That includes Social Security and Medicare benefits, federal grants, and payments to government contractors,” Wyden posted on the social network Bluesky on Saturday, as per the report by The Blast.

In a letter to Bessent, Wyden warned that any politically motivated interference in the system could inflict serious harm on the U.S. economy.

Musk Alleges Fraud Within Treasury Payments

Following the announcement, Musk claimed—without offering evidence—that Treasury officials had previously been instructed to approve payments to fraudulent entities and terrorist organizations.

Also Read: The Monkey: See plot, cast, release date and trailer

“Massive fraud has been happening for years,” Musk posted on X on Saturday. “Treasury was approving payments to known fraudulent or terrorist groups.”

His remarks have intensified the debate over whether Musk’s oversight will enhance transparency and efficiency or introduce new ethical and political risks.

FAQs:

What is a treasury payment?
A treasury payment refers to a financial transaction conducted by a company as part of its treasury management operations.

Who invests in the U.S. Treasury?
Federal agencies with the necessary legal authority granted by Congress can invest funds in Government Account Series (GAS) securities through the U.S. Department of the Treasury.