Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Take On ‘DOGE’ — Trump’s New Bid To Slim Down Washington

Key Takeaways

• President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of a new department, DOGE, aimed at overhauling government efficiency.
• Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency.
• Musk, who originally floated the idea, has been a central figure in Trump’s campaign and strategic plans.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced the formation of a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Tech magnate Elon Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have been selected to lead this initiative, which Trump has characterized as “The Manhattan Project” of his new administration.

Musk and Ramaswamy To Head DOGE

According to Trump’s campaign team, the newly created DOGE is designed to tackle federal inefficiencies head-on by cutting bureaucracy, reducing regulations, and restructuring agencies.

A press release  from the Trump War Room highlighted Musk and Ramaswamy’s mandate to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, and target wasteful expenditures.”

Trump’s statement echoed themes central to his campaign, casting the department as a transformative force in federal government structure.

According to the press release, the new department, dubbed DOGE, will be responsible for dismantling government bureaucracy, slashing excess regulations, cutting wasteful expenditures, and restructuring federal agencies.

“I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans. Importantly, we will drive out the massive waste and fraud which exists throughout our annual $6.5 Trillion Dollars of Government Spending,” President-elect Trump wrote.

Following the announcement, Dogecoin, tied to Musk’s influence and DOGE’s acronym, experienced a brief surge in value following the department’s announcement, jumping nearly 10% in value  before slightly correcting to $0.36.

Musk’s Evolving Role in Trump’s Administration

Musk’s ties with the Trump administration have deepened over recent months.

As a vocal supporter, Musk contributed $150 million to Trump’s campaign and frequently appeared at key campaign events, emphasizing his vision for a leaner, more efficient federal government.

Multiple foreign leaders reportedly noted Musk’s presence on official calls with Trump, underscoring the tech leader’s growing influence.

Musk first publicly floated the concept of a government efficiency department in August.

Since then, he has reiterated the idea in various interviews , envisioning it as a catalyst for streamlining government processes and eliminating what he describes as “dumb spending.”

Musk proposed that DOGE’s operations  and expenditures would be visible online, ensuring transparency around how taxpayer money is used.

DOGE’s Road Ahead: Transparency, Efficiency, and Musk’s Influence

Musk and Ramaswamy will reportedly operate DOGE outside the traditional structure of government departments, advising the White House directly on strategies for trimming federal expenses.

The Tesla CEO has pitched multiple ideas, such as eliminating redundant departments, consolidating agency resources, and more.

While DOGE’s agenda has yet to be fully outlined, the focus on efficiency and accountability aligns with Trump’s broader goals.

By addressing the significant federal spending gaps, Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy aim to reshape public perceptions of government spending and restore taxpayer confidence.