US President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk and former Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head the new Department of Government Efficiency.
This bold move brings two well-known private sector figures into government, with a clear goal of slashing unnecessary regulations, reducing waste, and reshaping federal agencies for a more efficient future.
Trump described the new department as an “outside-the-government” advisory body, working closely with the White House and the Office of Management & Budget to drive sweeping reforms and inject an entrepreneurial mindset into federal operations. The goal? To present America with a leaner, more efficient government by July 4, 2026 honoring the country’s 250th Independence Day.
Forbes’ richest person, Musk has been a prominent supporter of Trump, contributing millions to his campaign and advocating for streamlined government practices. Musk, known for his companies Tesla, SpaceX, and X, is expected to leverage his business acumen to influence government operations favorably.
Musk’s reaction to the announcement was spirited, stating, “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone contributing to government waste!” He compared the initiative to a “Manhattan Project” for modern efficiency.
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy, who initially ran against Trump before endorsing him, brings his background as a successful entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry to the department. “We’re ready for big changes, @elonmusk!” Ramaswamy tweeted.
Musk echoed his excitement on X, hinting at how impactful this department will be, playfully adding, “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!” Fittingly, the department’s acronym, DOGE, aligns with the name of Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin.