Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is set to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a major initiative of the Trump administration.

DOGE was announced by Trump in November 2024, with the commission expected to conclude its work by July 4, 2026.

Musk has been a significant supporter of Trump, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to his 2024 campaign and participating in official meetings during the transition.

Musk aims for DOGE to help the government save at least $2 trillion, although he has tempered expectations, suggesting a more realistic target of around $1 trillion in reductions.

While DOGE will provide recommendations for spending cuts, it will not have the authority to directly cut expenditures, as that power remains with Congress.

The operational details of DOGE are still unclear, but it is expected to consist mainly of billionaires and tech executives, particularly those aligned with investor Peter Thiel.

Members of DOGE are anticipated to work unpaid in federal agencies for six months, although some tech entrepreneurs have already opted out due to the lack of compensation.

Certain members, including potentially Musk, may have short-term contracts allowing them to work for the government for a maximum of 130 days per year.

Concerns about conflicts of interest have arisen due to Musk's existing government and military contracts, complicating his role within the administration.

Despite its ambitious goals, DOGE is not formally recognized as an official department by Congress, and its members currently operate out of Musk's SpaceX offices in Washington, D.C.

Allies of Musk have indicated that he has yet to decide whether to pursue special government employee status, which could impact his financial disclosure requirements.

Tensions within the MAGA movement persist, particularly from figures like Steve Bannon, who have criticized Musk and aim to limit his influence in the White House.