WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has called on tech billionaire Elon Musk to intensify his efforts to cut government spending and reduce the federal workforce.
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump praised Musk’s actions so far but urged him to “get more aggressive” in his role at the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE,” Trump wrote. “REMEMBER, WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE, BUT ULTIMATELY, TO MAKE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAGA!”
Musk’s Role in Reshaping the Federal Government
Appointed by Trump to lead DOGE, Musk’s mandate is clear:
- Slash government spending
- Downsize the federal workforce
- Eliminate fraud and waste in federal agencies
In the past month alone, DOGE has:
- Proposed plans to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and significantly cut back on the Department of Education
- Claimed to have saved $55 billion through canceled grants, asset sales, team reductions, and terminated contracts
- Facilitated buyouts accepted by over 75,000 federal employees
Controversy and Legal Challenges
Despite praise from Trump, Musk and DOGE have faced mounting opposition:
- 14 states have filed lawsuits, arguing DOGE’s cuts are unconstitutional
- Concerns arose over DOGE’s access to Treasury Department payment systems, which has since been blocked
- Critics have questioned Musk’s influence and possible conflicts of interest due to his ties with major companies like Tesla and SpaceX
Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups are demanding greater transparency around DOGE’s actions and decision-making processes.
Trump’s Defense of Musk
Despite mounting criticism, Trump has stood firmly behind Musk:
- Called him a “patriot” for his work on government reforms
- Insisted that any potential conflicts of interest will be avoided, particularly concerning space-related matters
- Clarified that Musk is a senior adviser in the White House Office, not a formal DOGE official
“He’s done an amazing job,” Trump said. “I told Elon, any conflicts you can’t have anything to do with that. We won’t let him partake in anything space-related.”
Is DOGE Overstepping Its Authority?
A court filing from the White House Office of Administration clarified that:
- Musk has no formal authority to make government decisions
- Decisions are made through official government channels, while Musk remains an adviser
Still, critics argue that Musk’s influence within the Trump administration appears disproportionate, particularly with DOGE’s aggressive restructuring of federal agencies.
