Featured Image Credit: Twitter/ElonMusk
Topics: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Social Media, Conspiracy Theories, Virginia
Liv Bridge
Topics: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Social Media, Conspiracy Theories, Virginia
Elon Musk has shared a snap from inside the CIA headquarters building and it's safe to say it's caused quite a stir.
The role of the world's richest man within the upper echelons of the US government is once again the subject of scrutiny after the Tesla CEO shared a photograph from the inside the US' top intelligence center that is strictly guarded and prohibits members of the public.
Social media has been up in arms ever since the billionaire appeared to land a job in the federal government, having been given the cosy title 'special employee' to spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by his buddy, President Donald Trump.
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The internet has joked Musk stands as the 'real' leader, referring to him as 'President Musk' for his apparent power in DOGE, which in its cost-cutting spree has cancelled humanitarian and DEI programs, as well as foreign aid initiatives, and fired dozens to hundreds of federal employees.
Critics have been left wondering who is really running the country, claiming they never 'voted' for Musk to hold such powers, though the White House insists he is merely 'senior advisor to the president' with 'no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself.'
Last month, the POTUS was forced to confess that Musk would face some restrictions on intelligence-sharing from the administration, namely any battle plans if the US was to go to war with China.
And earlier this week, Musk revealed he would soon depart from his public service role when the terms of his 'special government employee' title to expire after 130 days, meaning his term will likely end around the end of May.
However, on so-called 'Liberation Day' (April 2), Musk uploaded a photo on Twitter which shows him stood inside the grand Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) original headquarters building in Virginia.
Musk is stood in the vast white-and-gray lobby with the 16-foot-diameter granite CIA seal in front of him.
He's also in the company of just one other person, which is only adding to the eeriness of the image.
However, that's not what has disturbed Twitter users who have instead queried why Musk is even in the room.
"Why are you allowed in the CIA building?", one asked.
"Was not aware you were an intelligence operative. Or congress. Or even elected," chimed another. "So why are you there?"
"Why is a regular civilian at CIA headquarters?" a third penned.
Fuelling the mystery and conspiracy theories further, Musk provided no comment or caption with the snap.
According to the CIA website, its headquarters are accessible 'only to our CIA family,' meaning visitors are restricted to authorized personnel and tourists are strictly forbidden.
Even the CIA museum is out of bounds for the public - and non-US citizens even with social security numbers are not allowed to step one toe onto agency grounds whatsoever.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the CIA also states digital devices are not permitted inside for even those lucky elite few who have been invited and escorted around the premises.
The CIA states: "Cameras, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and magnetic media are not allowed in the Headquarters building and must be left in your vehicle, or you will be expected to turn them into our security officer in the main lobby, which can delay your entrance."
"Absolutely no photography permitted on the Agency compound," the written response from the CIA adds.
Such is the secrecy, most of us will only be able to catch a glimpse of the inside of its HQ via the website's virtual tour.