To be clear: It’s not that I was wrong about the conflicts of interest Musk would be subject to — there is virtually nothing in government that doesn’t affect Musk’s businesses, which span electric vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence, space exploration, social media, biotech, satellite comms and road infrastructure.

Elon Musk has received quiet White House reminders in recent days that while he has wide latitude to slash spending, his power is not unchecked.