Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to Co-Lead Department of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk and biotech founder Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) under President-elect Donald Trump. The goal is to reduce government spending and improve efficiency. Announced after Trump’s reelection, D.O.G.E. aims to transform federal operations, described by Trump as “potentially the Manhattan Project of our time.”
Trump shared this initiative on Truth Social, stating that D.O.G.E. will lead the “Save America Movement” to address $6.5 trillion in government expenditures. He stated that Musk and Ramaswamy would work towards a “smaller government with more efficiency and less bureaucracy” by July 4, 2026, aligning with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Musk, known for criticizing bureaucratic inefficiency, supported the announcement, stating it would shock “those involved in Government waste.” Reposting Trump’s message on X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted his opposition to bureaucracy with remarks such as, “Threat to democracy? Nope, a threat to BUREAUCRACY!”
The acronym D.O.G.E. resonated with Dogecoin fans, the meme-based cryptocurrency often associated with Musk. Following Musk's appointment, Dogecoin’s (DOGE) value increased by 10% amid speculation that he might incorporate cryptocurrency into government projects or business ventures. This speculation intensified after Musk hinted at reintroducing Dogecoin as a payment option for Tesla merchandise.
Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, expressed strong support for the project. He announced on X that he would withdraw from the Ohio Senate race to focus on D.O.G.E., allowing Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to appoint a successor to the seat soon to be vacated by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.
Despite the positive reception, concerns were raised by some analysts and officials. Economist Peter Schiff, a Bitcoin skeptic, warned about limitations on D.O.G.E.’s mandate, noting that closing federal departments would require Congressional approval. Schiff referenced past efforts, such as Ronald Reagan’s unsuccessful attempts to eliminate the Department of Education, highlighting the challenges of implementing structural changes.
While Musk’s involvement in D.O.G.E. has sparked interest in Dogecoin, analysts caution that while Musk’s engagement may boost short-term enthusiasm, long-term stability relies on actual economic applications. Currently, Trump’s announcement has brought D.O.G.E.—both the agency and the cryptocurrency—into the spotlight.