DOGE will focus on reducing government waste, cutting regulations, and restructuring agencies.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump selected Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Along with Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, to head an effort focused on dismantling bureaucracy, slashing regulations, and reducing waste across federal agencies. Their work is set to conclude by July 4, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Trump’s plan gives Musk and Ramaswamy a unique, external advisory role, bypassing Senate approval and formal government positions. Instead, the two will collaborate closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to drive large-scale reforms.
Trump’s New Efficiency Team
Trump emphasized that the pair’s influence from outside government will create an “entrepreneurial approach never seen before.” Musk noted that DOGE aims to “send shockwaves through the system” and target individuals tied to government waste.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s appointments reward two high-profile Trump supporters who contributed significantly to his election campaign. Musk’s advocacy for efficiency aligns with his cost-cutting measures at Twitter, now X, where he famously reduced staff and streamlined operations.
Trump has long discussed this government efficiency initiative, promising in September that it could save trillions by eliminating fraud and improper payments. Experts, however, doubt that such ambitious cuts are achievable, with critics warning that deeper reductions would require targeting core programs like Medicare and defense.
As Trump seeks to reshape government, both Musk and Ramaswamy are committed to posting DOGE’s actions online for transparency. Ramaswamy added on X, “SHUT IT DOWN,” underscoring his goal to eliminate what he calls wasteful federal agencies. This unprecedented partnership could signal a new era of government reform.