Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency in 2025

President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his administration, focusing on reducing government spending and cutting bureaucracy.

Trump stated that Musk, known for his cost-cutting initiatives, and Ramaswamy will “pave the way to dismantle bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, and restructure federal agencies.” The department, which aims to operate transparently by posting actions online, promises a new approach to tackling wasteful spending and may even feature a “leaderboard” for excessive federal expenditures.

Musk’s appointment follows his recent proposal to Trump to lead an efficiency commission and his statements on the campaign trail about eliminating $2 trillion from the federal budget, though experts question the feasibility of such large cuts. Ramaswamy, who has previously called for eliminating agencies like the FBI and the Department of Education, emphasized the plan to “SHUT IT DOWN,” suggesting sweeping reductions.

Trump’s vision for the department aligns with his economic agenda, introduced in September, which seeks to save trillions by combating fraud and improper payments.

Critics, including economists and unions, have expressed skepticism, noting that without cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and defense, achieving such reductions would be challenging.

Additionally, federal workers’ unions have voiced concerns, arguing that the new department’s initiatives prioritize personal profit over true efficiency and risk extensive layoffs. Trump projects the department’s work will conclude by July 4, 2026, to mark a “smaller government” in celebration of America’s 250th Independence Day anniversary.