Trump taps Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head new government efficiency department.

Donald Trump has announced the appointment of tech billionaire Elon Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his incoming administration.

The announcement is part of Trump's cabinet selections following his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Musk will be joined by Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate and entrepreneur, in co-leading the department. The primary objective of DOGE is to overhaul federal bureaucracy and reduce wasteful spending.

According to Trump's statement, the department will focus on several key areas:

1. Dismantling government bureaucracy
2. Slashing excessive regulations
3. Cutting wasteful expenditures
4. Restructuring federal agencies

Trump described the initiative as potentially becoming "The Manhattan Project of our time," emphasizing its importance to the "Save America" movement.

The DOGE will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to implement large-scale structural reforms and introduce an entrepreneurial approach to government operations. Trump expressed confidence that Musk and Ramaswamy will succeed in driving out "massive waste and fraud" from the annual $6.5 trillion government spending.

Musk, who owns several high-profile companies including X (formerly Twitter), Tesla, and SpaceX, has been a vocal supporter of Trump. He reportedly donated $75 million to a pro-Trump spending group during the recent election campaign.

The appointment fulfills a promise Trump made to Musk after the tech mogul endorsed him in the race for the White House. Musk has recently advocated for significant federal spending cuts, suggesting the elimination of numerous federal agencies due to overlapping responsibilities.

Trump set a deadline for the completion of DOGE's work, stating it should conclude no later than July 4, 2026 – coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He described the potential outcome of a smaller, more efficient government with less bureaucracy as "the perfect gift to America" on this significant milestone.

The announcement has generated considerable interest, with Musk stating that their reforms will "send shockwaves through the system." The initiative is expected to have far-reaching implications for the structure and operation of the U.S. federal government.