Trump taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead new 'Department of Government Efficiency'

WASHINGTON ? President-elect Donald Trump has tapped tech billionaire Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest person, and former Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency that will work to slash federal government spending, waste and regulations.

Trump said the commission will "provide advice and guidance from outside of government," partnering with the White House and Office of Management and Budget "to drive large-scale structural reform" throughout the federal government. He said the team's work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026.

"Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies ? Essential to the “Save America” movement," Trump said in a statement.

During the 2024 campaign, Musk said he would take a job in the administration as leader of a “Department of Government Efficiency” or DOGE, referring to the cryptocurrency he champions. The 53-year-old founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla has said publicly that he could quickly eliminate $2 trillion from the federal budget but has not provided any specifics on how.

Trump said the department led by Musk and Ramaswamy could become "the Manhattan Project of our time." Trump provided no details on the size or budget of the department beyond the leadership of Musk and Ramaswamy.

Trump's description seemed to suggest the department would operate as an advisory commission ? not a formal federal agency ? with no statutory authority. It was not immediately clear whether Musk and Ramaswamy would be working under contract for their services.

"A smaller government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I am confident they will succeed!" Trump said.

Musk has never worked for the federal government. But his various companies have billions of dollars in government contracts, including with space, military and intelligence agencies. That has prompted concern among watchdog groups that his cost-cutting efforts – and his influence on Trump – could create conflicts of interest and lessen oversight of his companies.

“This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!" Musk said in a statement distributed by Trump's transition team.

Musk posted a message on X, the social media platform he owns, after Trump's announcement: "Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!"

Musk said the department will publicize all its actions online for "maximum transparency" and solicit feedback on cost-cutting measures from the public. “We will also have a leaderboard for most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars. This will be both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining," Musk said.

Ramaswamy, 39, a biotech entrepreneur and the son of Indian immigrants, ran in the 2024 Republican primary but quickly became a strong ally of Trump's. As a candidate, Ramaswamy advocated for the shutdown of federal government agencies including the FBI, Department of Education and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

"Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of 'DOGE' for a very long time," Trump said, adding that the department will "create an entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before."

Trump first proposed a government efficiency commission in a speech Sept. 5 to the Economic Club of New York. At the time, he said, the commission would conduct "a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government" and recommend changes.

Trump's opponents said he and Musk aim to end government protections in a host of areas, from education to the environment, and to get rid of thousands of public servants.

“Musk and Ramaswamy leading a nonexistent efficiency department would be funny if the consequences weren’t so serious,” said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Elon Musk may think money bypasses the rule of law and our democratic system of government, but we’ll make sure every unhinged attack on critical environmental protections and every illegal attempt to harm government employees will fail.”

Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a progressive consumer rights advocacy group, said the term “cutting red tape” is code for “getting rid of the safeguards that protect us in order to benefit corporate interests.”

“The purpose of government regulations is to protect the American people,” Gilbert said. “We all depend on these regulations to protect our air, water, workers, children's safety, and so much more.”

Democrats mocked the undertaking. "The Office of Government Efficiency is off to a great start with split leadership: two people to do the work of one person," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said in a post on X. "Yeah, this seems REALLY efficient."

One of Trump’s staunchest supporters in the past few months of the 2024 campaign, Musk injected more than $100 million, including controversial $1 million daily payments to registered voters in seven battleground states. He has since become an informal adviser to Trump on a wide range of foreign and domestic policy issues, including Russia’s war with Ukraine.

More: Trump transition live updates: Latest news as election winner makes moves

Musk made headlines for reportedly joining in the first phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising questions about his potentially outsized role in the upcoming administration. “A star is born," Trump said in his victory speech upon winning the White House, referring to Musk.

Trump and Musk have been spending a lot of time together at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, according to a CNN report that said Musk was advising on transition, policy and personnel issues.

Further complicating matters: The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 25 that Musk “has been in regular contact” since late 2022 with a major U.S. adversary – Russian President Vladimir Putin. Musk has not responded to requests for comment from USA TODAY.

"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," Trump said. "Importantly, we will drive out the massive waste and fraud which exists throughout our annual $6.5 Trillion Dollars of Government Spending.

"They will work together to liberate our Economy, and make the U.S. Government accountable to “WE THE PEOPLE," Trump said.

Josh Meyer is USA TODAY's domestic security correspondent. Email him at [email protected] and follow him at @JoshMeyerDC on X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to tackle government waste