Billionaire Elon Musk joined President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) Gala held at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Musk, recently named co-leader of the incoming Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), delivered a bold message to attendees, calling his role part of a “revolution” for America.
“As President Trump said, what we need is common sense,” Musk declared to the crowd. “This won’t be business as usual. This is going to be a revolution.”
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X, will share leadership of the DOGE with former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The department’s mission is to overhaul federal government operations by rooting out waste and fraud in what Trump described as a $6.5 trillion annual budget.
“Importantly, we will drive out the massive waste and fraud which exists throughout our annual $6.5 Trillion Dollars of Government Spending. They will work together to liberate our Economy, and make the U.S. Government accountable to ‘WE THE PEOPLE,'” Trump said when introducing Musk and Ramaswamy as DOGE leaders.
Musk’s role at DOGE signifies a push for innovation and efficiency in government operations, with a focus on dismantling bureaucracy, slashing excess regulations, cutting wasteful expenditures, and restructuring federal agencies.
Trump praised Musk and Ramaswamy as “visionary leaders” who will bring entrepreneurial energy to federal operations, stating they will work in partnership with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to create “an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.”
The department has already begun hiring, with opportunities posted on X, signaling a swift start to its ambitious reform agenda.
Musk has been a visible supporter of Trump during his campaign for the White House, appearing at rallies and using his platform on X to promote Trump’s policies. His appointment to DOGE underscores a deepening partnership between the tech entrepreneur and the incoming administration.
At the AFPI Gala, Musk emphasized the importance of accountability and efficiency in government. “This isn’t just about business,” Musk said. “It’s about transforming how government works for the American people.”
Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, will co-lead DOGE with Musk. Known for his advocacy of reducing federal overreach, Ramaswamy’s collaboration with Musk is expected to bring a private-sector mindset to the administration’s efficiency goals.
The DOGE initiative marks one of Trump’s most ambitious plans to reshape the federal government. With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm, the administration aims to tackle inefficiency and restore accountability, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
“This is about driving innovation and creating a government that works for ‘We the People,’” Musk said.
As the incoming administration prepares for its January inauguration, the spotlight remains on Musk and Ramaswamy to see how they execute this unprecedented mission to revolutionize government operations.
Sources:
- Joe Raedle/Getty Images – AFPI Gala coverage
- Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty – Musk at Trump rally
- America First Policy Institute announcement
- X postings on DOGE hiring updates
- Fox Business interview with Stuart Varney on Musk’s government reform initiatives
