Recent reports have sparked considerable debate regarding the access granted to individuals connected to Elon Musk within the US government. While the question “How Old Is Elon Musk?” might seem unrelated, understanding the context of his influence and the individuals associated with him is crucial to grasping the gravity of the situation. Born on June 28, 1971, Elon Musk’s age, currently in his early 50s, places him at a stage in his career where his ventures span across multiple industries, from electric vehicles and space exploration to social media. However, it’s the intersection of his network and governmental systems that is currently under scrutiny.
At the heart of this issue is Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer with a background at two prominent Elon Musk companies: SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter). According to sources familiar with the matter, Elez has been granted direct access to sensitive systems within the Treasury Department. These systems are not minor components; they are the backbone of US government payments, handling nearly all disbursements. This level of access raises significant questions about oversight and potential security vulnerabilities.
Specifically, Elez’s privileges reportedly extend beyond simply viewing data. Insiders reveal he possesses the ability to write code on the Payment Automation Manager and Secure Payment System at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS). These systems, residing on secure mainframes, are responsible for managing government payments that constitute a substantial portion—over a fifth—of the entire US economy. Such elevated access, typically reserved for administrators with extensive experience and stringent vetting, grants the power to potentially manipulate critical financial infrastructure.
Alt text: Secure servers and computer systems at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) controlling US government payments, highlighting concerns about unauthorized access.
Concerns are mounting regarding the scope of these privileges. While initial reports suggested that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force, to which Elez is linked, might have “read-only” access, sources indicate a far more permissive scenario. Administrator-level privileges could enable actions ranging from unauthorized logins and file system navigation to modifying user permissions and even altering or deleting critical files. This level of control could potentially bypass security measures and inflict irreversible damage on these vital systems. Experts in federal IT security express disbelief, with one stating that such access would have been considered unimaginable just weeks prior, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the situation.
The unease is further compounded by the context of Elon Musk’s growing influence within government agencies. Reports indicate that individuals associated with Musk, including Nicole Hollander and Thomas Shedd, along with a cadre of young and relatively inexperienced engineers, have become embedded within the General Services Administration (GSA). There are concerns that data from secure Treasury systems could be channeled to DOGE operatives within the GSA. Previous reporting has already highlighted attempts by Musk’s associates to utilize White House security credentials to access GSA technology, actions deemed highly unusual and carrying considerable security risks by experts.
Alt text: Elon Musk with government officials, illustrating the context of his increasing influence and connections within US government agencies, raising concerns about potential overreach.
Marko Elez’s background, while impressive in the private tech sector, lacks prior government experience. Public records show his graduation from Rutgers University in 2021, followed by roles at SpaceX focusing on vehicle telemetry and satellite software, and later at X on search AI. His public Github repositories showcase expertise in software development areas like distributed systems and machine learning. However, the leap from these domains to managing the intricacies and security protocols of US Treasury payment systems is significant, fueling anxieties about the appropriateness and potential risks associated with granting such extensive access to someone with limited government-specific experience.
In conclusion, while understanding “how old is Elon Musk” provides context to his extensive career and influence, the focus must remain on the serious implications of granting administrator-level access to critical US Treasury systems to individuals closely tied to him. The combination of a young, privately-sector trained engineer’s access and the broader context of Musk’s associates’ presence within government agencies raises legitimate concerns about security, oversight, and the potential for misuse of power within the US financial infrastructure. The situation warrants careful scrutiny and robust oversight to ensure the integrity and security of these vital systems.
