Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy seek to cut government spending

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked by President-elect Donald Trump to head the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), have begun meetings with congressional Republicans to discuss cutting federal spending and regulations. The goal is to overhaul the federal budget, a challenge that has long eluded both parties. Musk and Ramaswamy are expected to issue recommendations by July 4, 2026, but they face significant obstacles, such as Trump’s promises to protect Social Security and Medicare and his call for more tax cuts, which could increase the national debt.

While Musk’s wealth and political influence may give him leverage over Republicans, his role remains advisory, and his business ties, particularly with SpaceX and Tesla, raise concerns about conflicts of interest. Musk and Ramaswamy’s discussions focus on cutting waste, including eliminating tax credits for electric vehicles, and loosening regulations.

Musk and Ramaswamy aim to reduce bureaucracy by hiring staff with business experience and establishing a network of agency liaisons. Despite their efforts, skepticism remains, as past attempts at budget reforms have failed. The political climate and Republican priorities, including continued military spending, further complicate the effort. Democrats have shown some interest in working with Musk and Ramaswamy but remain doubtful about the project’s success, given its lack of clear authority and the challenges in addressing sensitive programs like Social Security.