Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed by Donald Trump to lead a newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
“Together, these two outstanding Americans will help my Administration dismantle government bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary regulations, reduce wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies—critical steps in the ‘Save America’ Movement,” Trump said in a statement.
The new department will be known as Doge (short for Department of Government Efficiency), a name that appears to be a nod to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which Musk has championed as “the people’s crypto.”
Musk, who reportedly donated $200 million (£157 million) to Trump’s campaign, has been one of the former president’s most prominent public supporters. Ramaswamy, who initially challenged Trump for the Republican nomination, became a vocal ally after his primary defeat. The billionaire entrepreneur has proposed radical reforms, including the abolition of the FBI.
Trump’s statement further emphasized that Musk and Ramaswamy would be empowered to implement far-reaching changes to government spending and operations.
“Together, these two great Americans will lead the charge in dismantling government inefficiencies, cutting waste, and restructuring federal agencies—critical to the success of our ‘Save America’ agenda,” the statement reads.
Trump likened the initiative to a major national project, saying, “It could become the ‘Manhattan Project’ of our time,” referring to the historic U.S. effort to develop the atomic bomb.
The exact structure of the Department of Government Efficiency remains unclear, but it appears it will operate outside traditional government frameworks. “The department will offer outside guidance and advice,” Trump continued, with a goal of introducing a more entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before.
The department is expected to conclude its work by July 4, 2026, Trump’s statement adds.
Musk, responding to the announcement on X (the social media platform he owns), said, “This will send shockwaves through the system—and anyone involved in government waste, of which there are many!”
Ramaswamy also shared his thoughts on X, writing, “We will not go gently.”
