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Musk will co-head new government department. The richest man in the world wants to “make government fun” — he will fire people and cut spending. A Fox News presenter goes to the Department of Defense.
The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that he will nominate the richest man on the planet, businessman Elon Musk, to head a new “government efficiency” department.
The Republican announced that he intends to nominate the owner of Tesla and Space X, who played an unprecedented role in Trump’s campaign, along with the Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamyaccording to a statement released on Tuesday.
“Together, these two great Americans will chart a path for my administration dismantle government bureaucracy, reduce excessive regulation, cut unnecessary expenses and restructure federal agencies”, said the tycoon, who had already praised the millionaire on several occasions and strengthened relations with him: “Let me tell you that we have a new star. A Star Is Born: Elon. He is fantastic.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
In a press release, Musk wrote: “This will send shockwaves through the system and anyone involved in government waste, which is a lot of people.”
After the announcement, Musk, who also announced that he wants “make government fun again” (in reference to Trump’s campaign slogan), published on his social network, X: “Threat to democracy? No, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”
Recently, Musk called for at least $2 billion (almost €1.9 billion) in federal spending cuts, almost a third of the government budgetwithout providing details. He also proposed the elimination of hundreds of federal agencies, ensuring that many of them have overlapping areas of responsibility.
The Guardian recalls that Musk has extensive experience in reducing company expenses.
On your social network X, formerly Twitter, reduced staff by 80% after purchasing it in 2022, a measure that, according to the millionaire, avoided a deficit of 3 billion dollars. Still, the measure “otherwise did not pay off”, writes The Guardian.
Elon Musk on D.O.G.E: We’ll drain many swamps and be very transparent about it.
“We’re going to be very open and transparent and be very clear about this is what we’re doing [with the Department of Government Efficiency]here are the issues, this is the math for what’s being…
— ELON DOCS (@elon_docs)
Last year, when he ran for president, he also Ramaswamy said he would lay off more than 75% of the federal workforce and shut down several key agencies, including the Department of Education, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, says .
At the same time, Trump announced that he intended to nominate Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who for the past eight years has hosted Fox Newsthe favorite television channel of conservatives in the United States.
Hegseth is a former U.S. Army major and decorated veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Pete spent his entire life as a warrior for his troops and country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in ‘America First’‘ [um dos slogans da campanha de Trump]”, he said, in a statement.
Trump also named the ally Kristi Noemgovernor of South Dakota, as Secretary for Homeland Securityresponsible for customs and borders.
“Kristi has been very tough on border security. She was the first governor to send National Guard troops to Texas to help with the border crisis in Texas. [o atual Presidente Joe] Biden,” the Republican said in a statement.
Previously tipped as a vice-presidential candidate, Noem was the target of criticism after publishing a memoir in which she disclosed that he had shot a dog because he considered it untamable.
Hours earlier, Trump said he intends to nominate the former director of intelligence, John Ratcliffe, to lead the American secret services (CIA).
A former Republican congressman from Texas, Ratcliffe led the US government’s spy agencies during the Covid-19 pandemic during the last year and a half of Trump’s first term.
Donald Trump had already announced, also on Tuesday, his intention to appoint the former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel.
Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and the announcement of the appointment comes as Trump has pledged to more closely align Washington’s foreign policy with the interests of the Israeli government.
Trump also nominated Bill McGinley, cabinet secretary in his first administration, as counselor at the White House.
