President-elect Donald Trump has selected tech billionaire Elon Musk and biotech investor Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new advisory role in his administration, aimed at reducing government spending and cutting bureaucracy. The team will lead the “Department of Government Efficiency,” or “Doge,” named in reference to Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency, Dogecoin.
Key Details of the Initiative
In an announcement on Tuesday, Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management & Budget to address “waste and fraud” in the federal government’s $6.5 trillion annual spending. Musk, who has been vocal about cutting federal spending, described the role as a “threat to bureaucracy,” emphasizing his stance on reducing overregulation.
This advisory capacity, however, will not form an official government department, as such agencies require congressional approval.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s Plans for Cost-Cutting
Musk, founder of SpaceX and Tesla, has previously advocated for $2 trillion in budget cuts, suggesting that numerous federal agencies could be eliminated due to overlapping functions. Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, has proposed reducing the federal workforce by 75% and closing multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Education and the FBI.
Trump has likened the initiative to the World War II Manhattan Project, setting a completion deadline for July 4, 2026.
Recent Appointments to Trump’s Cabinet
The announcement of Musk and Ramaswamy’s roles comes amid several high-profile nominations in Trump’s cabinet:
- Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
- John Ratcliffe as CIA Director
- Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security
These selections signal Trump’s intent to fill key positions with individuals known for their loyalty and conservative values.
