On Tuesday, US President-elect Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, alongside former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. This new entity, created to streamline federal government operations, will operate outside traditional government channels, bypassing Senate approval and allowing Musk to maintain his roles at Tesla, X (formerly Twitter), and SpaceX.
In a statement, Trump announced that Musk and Ramaswamy would help “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash regulations, reduce waste, and restructure federal agencies.” The new department will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management & Budget to pursue reforms, aiming to complete its mission by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
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Musk’s Influence and Goals
Ranked as the world’s richest person, Musk has supported Trump’s campaign financially and appeared publicly with him. This new role could significantly boost the value of Musk’s companies, which include Tesla and SpaceX, as well as favored sectors like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. Musk also emphasized transparency, pledging to post all department actions online and inviting the public to contribute insights. Notably, the department’s acronym, DOGE, references Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency Musk promotes, which has surged since the election.
Public Reactions and Criticism
The announcement sparked controversy. Public Citizen, a consumer rights group, criticized the appointment, claiming Musk’s businesses have frequently clashed with regulatory requirements. Co-president Lisa Gilbert described the move as “the ultimate corporate corruption.”
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy announced he was withdrawing from consideration for a US Senate seat in Ohio to take on his new role. He had run for the Republican nomination but supported Trump after dropping out.
