In the wake of his election victory, President-elect Donald Trump has been busy finalizing appointments for his upcoming administration. While much of his first week post-election was spent at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida, Trump has begun to reveal key cabinet members and senior officials for his administration.
One of the most talked-about announcements is the appointment of Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, alongside biotech investor and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The two will co-lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, who is also a major supporter of Trump’s campaign, has been a frequent presence at Mar-a-Lago since the election. As the world’s richest person, Musk is expected to play a significant role in shaping policy and securing favorable treatment for his business ventures.
Ramaswamy, who briefly ran against Trump for the Republican nomination before endorsing him, will bring his expertise to the new initiative focused on reshaping government operations.
Although the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is not an official government agency, Trump outlined its ambitious mission to overhaul bureaucratic structures, eliminate unnecessary regulations, cut wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies. The name “DOGE” also pays homage to Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency, Dogecoin.
The aim of DOGE is to provide external guidance to the White House on how to enact large-scale reforms. Musk and Ramaswamy will work with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to identify and address inefficiencies in government spending, which amounts to $6.5 trillion annually. Musk has claimed he could identify savings of over $2 trillion, or nearly a third of the total government budget, though he has not provided specifics.
Musk promised transparency in the initiative, stating on social media that all actions taken by DOGE would be made public to ensure maximum accountability. He added, “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in government waste, which is a lot of people.”
Trump also announced the nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon. A vocal Trump supporter and Iraq war veteran, Hegseth has limited government experience but is expected to bring his leadership skills to the defense sector.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s work is expected to be completed by July 4, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in Trump’s vision for government reform.
