Key Points:
- Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk would lead a government audit if Trump wins the 2024 election.
- The audit would review government performance, finances, and suggest reforms.
- Trump praised Musk for his cost-cutting strategies at Tesla and X.
Former President Donald Trump revealed plans to appoint Elon Musk as the head of a government efficiency commission if he secures victory in the 2024 presidential election. Speaking in New York, Trump outlined how Musk would lead a comprehensive audit of the federal government’s financial and operational practices, recommending “drastic reforms.”
According to Trump, Musk himself proposed the idea, and after the speech, Musk confirmed via a post on X that he would take on the role without compensation, title, or recognition. This aligns with Musk’s recent shift toward more right-leaning political stances. He has been an outspoken supporter of Trump’s campaign and previously reversed X’s ban on Trump, which had been enacted following the January 6th Capitol riot.
Trump has frequently praised Musk’s approach to cutting costs, particularly through large-scale layoffs at X and Tesla, signaling that similar strategies could be applied to streamline government operations. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s aggressive cost-cutting measures, such as slashing the Supercharger team and thousands of Twitter employees, are seen by Trump as a blueprint for reducing government size and spending.
However, questions remain about the effectiveness of such methods. Tesla has faced increasing competition in the electric vehicle market, and X has struggled since Musk’s takeover, with declining ad revenue and challenges to content moderation. A recent survey even indicated that 26% of marketers may reduce ad spending on X by 2025 due to concerns over misinformation on the platform.
Additionally, there are concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Although Trump has generally opposed EV incentives like federal tax credits, Musk’s leadership could allow him to influence policies that might benefit Tesla, while potentially disadvantaging other automakers.
