President-elect Donald Trump has selected tech mogul Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead a new initiative aimed at streamlining the U.S. federal government. Announcing the decision on Tuesday, Trump expressed confidence in the duo’s ability to overhaul bureaucratic systems, trim excess regulations, and cut down on wasteful spending.
Their work will culminate in the formation of a unique advisory body, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), dedicated to these reforms.
In his statement, Trump praised Musk as “great” and Ramaswamy as an “American patriot,” emphasising that their partnership will bring an “entrepreneurial approach” to a government not previously seen.
Although DOGE is not an official government agency, the advisory body will collaborate closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to promote significant structural reforms across federal agencies. Trump believes this project, which he has dubbed potentially “The Manhattan Project of our time,” could have transformative effects on U.S. governance.
The establishment of DOGE is set to align with Trump’s broader agenda of streamlining federal operations. Trump’s team confirmed that the goal is for Musk and Ramaswamy to deliver results by July 4, 2026, a timeline that coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In his address, Trump stated that creating a smaller, more efficient government would be a lasting gift to Americans on this historic milestone.
Musk, who has frequently championed innovation and efficiency in his ventures, responded enthusiastically to the news. He remarked that their efforts would likely “send shockwaves through the system” and challenge inefficiencies within government.
Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate who endorsed Trump after suspending his own campaign, echoed Musk’s sentiment. Known for his slogan “shut it down,” used during his campaign to advocate for the elimination of ineffective federal agencies, Ramaswamy promised they “will not go gently” in their efforts to revamp U.S. bureaucracy.
The DOGE advisory group is expected to operate in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which mandates transparency and public accountability for external groups advising the government.
However, since neither Musk nor Ramaswamy will be formal federal employees, they may not be subject to typical asset disclosure requirements, potentially reducing ethical constraints that apply to government officials. This autonomy could enable them to move swiftly without the red tape that binds official positions.
Trump’s choice of Musk and Ramaswamy highlights a strong emphasis on using private sector insights to optimise government operations. Both men have extensive experience driving growth in the business world, with Musk at the helm of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, and Ramaswamy as a successful entrepreneur in the biotech sector. Their selection follows Trump’s earlier proposal of an efficiency commission as part of a series of economic reforms announced in September.
Sources report that Musk has been a frequent visitor to Mar-a-Lago since Trump’s November 5 election win, where the two have discussed the path forward for the government efficiency initiative. Musk previously expressed a willingness to serve in this role on the condition that it would not require compensation, a title, or formal recognition.
Acknowledging Musk’s multiple commitments, including SpaceX and Tesla, Trump noted that Musk’s role would not be full-time. Instead, Musk’s focus will be on reducing government waste—a goal Trump affirmed Musk was particularly passionate about.
Historically, politicians have turned to efficiency commissions during times of economic reform. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan launched the Grace Commission to address similar issues of government waste and inefficiency.
Trump’s selection of Musk and Ramaswamy builds on this legacy but with a distinctly modern, private-sector approach aimed at overhauling the governmental framework for the challenges of today.
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