Elon Musk Set to Head New Department of Government Efficiency
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is poised to claim an office space at the White House as part of his new role leading the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to a report by The New York Times, Musk is expected to occupy space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, located adjacent to the West Wing, where most White House staff offices are situated.
Plans for Access and Structure
Discussions have taken place between Musk and transition officials regarding the nature of Musk’s access to President-elect Trump post-inauguration. However, definitive plans are still in the works, as normally special passes are necessary for non-essential visitors in the West Wing.
Musk is collaborating with tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, focusing on strategies to eliminate government waste and streamline operational efficiency. While both figures aim to tackle government spending, it is unclear whether Ramaswamy will also have an office within the White House.
Objective: Cutting Waste and Streamlining Operations
DOGE is categorized not as a conventional federal entity but as a blue-ribbon committee tasked with proposing executive orders for the new administration. Additionally, it will collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget to implement necessary reforms. The ambitious goal of the committee is to slash a staggering trillion from the federal budget through decreased spending, reduced government programs, and streamlining the federal workforce.
Musk’s Skepticism about Budget Cuts
Despite the lofty aspirations, Musk recently expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of achieving the full trillion reduction, indicating a more realistic target of approximately trillion. “I think we’ll try for trillion. I think that’s like the best-case outcome,” Musk remarked during his appearance at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. “But I do think that you kind of have to have some overage.” This admission showcases the challenges ahead for DOGE as it seeks to maneuver through the complexities of federal budgeting.
Building the DOGE Team
As reported by The Washington Post, Musk and Ramaswamy’s teams have begun interviewing candidates from various government agencies, including the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service, as well as the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services. Currently, approximately 50 individuals make up the DOGE team, with plans to expand this number to around 100 by the time of the inauguration. Notably, team members are reportedly working from SpaceX’s offices in Washington, D.C.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Musk’s involvement raises questions regarding his status as a special government employee, a designation that would require him to file financial disclosure forms. Close associates of Musk, who has contributed millions to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, report that he is still weighing the implications of this status. Should Musk decide against the special government employee role, he may be subject to restrictions that could require public meetings and transparency regarding DOGE’s documents.
Private Sector Collaboration
This week, Musk is scheduled to meet with other tech industry leaders and venture capitalists in Washington, D.C., for a dinner sponsored by Outside the Box Ventures. The firm was founded by journalist-turned-investment banker Katherine Tarbox and French Ambassador to the U.S. Laurent Bili. The dinner, aimed at discussing global innovation in artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship, underscores Musk’s intention to bridge the gap between technology and government.
A source close to the event planning described the gathering as symbolic of a new chapter in public-private collaboration, emphasizing the transformative power of technology for the nation’s future. This highlights Musk’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation not just in his businesses but also in public governance.
Fox News Digital’s Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
