Trump Appoints Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to Lead New Department of Government Efficiency

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency. This move is part of Trump’s plan to reform and streamline government operations, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and cut wasteful expenditures[2][4].

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, with a net worth of $319 billion, is set to wield significant influence in Washington while continuing to manage his corporate empire, including Tesla, X, SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink. Musk has already been involved in high-level diplomacy, participating in a 25-minute call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reassure him about continued Starlink satellite support, which is crucial for Ukraine‘s military communications.

Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency involves slashing $2 trillion from the U.S. budget and eliminating regulations that he believes stifle innovation. Instead of directly managing government operations, Musk plans to install longtime deputies, engineering experts, and ideological partners at key agencies. Key figures in his inner circle, such as Steve Davis and Omead Afshar, are being considered for government roles, and SpaceX executives are proposed for positions in the Defense Department.

Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination, will work alongside Musk to dismantle government bureaucracy, cut excess regulations, and restructure federal agencies. Trump’s statement emphasized that both Musk and Ramaswamy will be instrumental in his administration’s efforts to streamline government operations and reduce wasteful spending.

Musk’s influence extends beyond traditional government roles, as his social media platform X played a significant role in disseminating pro-Trump messages during the campaign. Additionally, his substantial $119 million campaign contribution to Trump highlights his deepening involvement in U.S. politics and policy.