During a speech at the Economic Club of New York, former President Donald Trump proposed a new role for Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, X (formerly Twitter), and SpaceX, in his administration. Trump suggested that Musk would be tasked with leading a government efficiency commission, aimed at conducting a full financial and performance audit of the federal government and making recommendations for “drastic reforms.”
“I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government and making recommendations for drastic reforms,” Trump said during his speech, adding, “Elon, because he’s not very busy, has agreed to head that task force. It’ll be interesting. If he has the time, he’ll be a good one to do it.”
On X, Musk himself confirmed this statement, saying he was “look[ing] forward to serving America if the opportunity arises.”
Musk’s involvement in government oversight has raised eyebrows, particularly given his recent political alignments and actions. Musk, who recently endorsed Trump, has been known for promoting far-right extremism on X and sharing content that has sparked controversy. Most notably, he shared a Tucker Carlson interview in which a guest inaccurately downplayed the Holocaust, an interview that Musk called “very interesting” and “worth watching.” He later deleted the post, but the controversy surrounding his engagement with such content remains.
Adding to the controversy is Musk’s promotion of conspiracy theories, such as the debunked “Pizzagate” theory. His defense of free speech has also been called into question, particularly after he suggested that college demonstrators removing a U.S. flag to protest against Israel’s actions should be deported from the country. These actions, along with X’s recent suspension in Brazil for failing to comply with legal standards on hateful content, have made Musk a polarizing figure in both the tech and political worlds.
Trump’s decision to involve Musk aligns with his broader economic vision for a second presidential term. This vision includes massive tax cuts and the elimination of government regulations. Trump claimed that in 2022, “fraud and improper payments alone cost taxpayers an estimated hundreds of billions of dollars,” and Musk’s task force would be focused on curbing such waste. Trump also promised to cut 10 government regulations for every new one introduced, aiming for dramatic deregulation across industries.
The potential financial impact of Trump’s plan is enormous. His proposal includes cutting taxes by $10.5 trillion over the next decade, a sum greater than the total non-defense discretionary spending of the federal government, which amounts to $9.8 trillion. This includes funding for essential programs like healthcare, veterans’ services, scientific research, and infrastructure.
While Musk is a controversial figure, Trump’s supporters may see his involvement as part of a broader populist effort to bring private-sector efficiency to government. “We need to do it,” Trump said. “Can’t go on the way we are now.”
The relationship between Trump and Musk has evolved over the years. Musk, who once identified as a “moderate Democrat,” has shifted rightward in recent years. In 2022, Musk criticized Trump for being “too old” to run for president again but has since changed his stance, formally endorsing Trump after an assassination attempt last month. Trump and Musk’s partnership represents a notable alliance between two of the most influential figures in both politics and business.
Trump previously referred to Musk as “the greatest cutter,” a reference to his willingness to make significant cuts and reforms. During a streamed conversation on X, Trump said, “I need an Elon Musk — I need somebody that has a lot of strength and courage and smarts. I want to close up the Department of Education, move education back to the states.”
While Trump’s proposal may seem dramatic, it is not without precedent. Previous presidents have implemented their own government reform programs, such as the National Partnership for Reinventing Government under Bill Clinton. Headed by then-Vice President Al Gore, that initiative sought to simplify the federal bureaucracy and reduce costs, much like Trump’s current vision.
However, whether Musk’s appointment to such a role will have the intended effect or provoke further division remains to be seen. Trump’s plan represents a radical shift in governance, promising to further deepen the divide between those who advocate for limited government and those who see the government as essential to providing services and protections to its citizens.
Musk said on X: “No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.” Still, his leadership in such a high-stakes role is bound to generate intense scrutiny.
“We need to do it. Can’t go on the way we are now,” Trump insisted in his speech.
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