Elon Musk, the enigmatic billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and now X (formerly Twitter), has made headlines for his vocal support of Donald Trump in the 2024 US Presidential election. While Musk’s political alignments have evolved over time, his current allegiance to Trump signals more than just a passing interest in American politics. Musk’s backing, which includes not only financial support but the potent force of his vast social media influence, is making waves as he reportedly gears up for a key role in a potential second Trump administration.
If Donald Trump wins the White House in 2024, Musk’s role might go beyond rhetoric. Behind the scenes, the pair have reportedly been discussing a radical restructuring of federal government operations. With Musk poised to lead a commission aimed at drastically cutting federal spending, many are speculating that his vision for “government efficiency” could bring sweeping changes to the way the US government functions.
Musk’s public support for Trump is already raising eyebrows. After a second apparent assassination attempt on Trump in September 2024, Musk stirred controversy by questioning on his X platform why Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris or President Joe Biden had not been targeted. Although Musk quickly deleted the post, the incident underscored his provocative presence in Trump’s political orbit.
The billionaire has used X not only to engage with conspiracy theories-such as the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio had been stealing and eating pets-but also to amplify Trump’s message to nearly 200 million followers. While these incendiary statements attract attention, it is Musk’s less-publicized plans for federal governance that could truly shake Washington to its core.
One of the most significant outcomes of Musk and Trump’s ongoing dialogue is the proposed creation of a “government efficiency commission.” Trump, who has been effusive in his praise of Musk’s cost-cutting prowess in the corporate world, described him as “the greatest cutter” during a joint interview on X in August. Trump’s admiration appears rooted in Musk’s history of mass layoffs, particularly during his acquisition of Twitter in 2022, when he dismissed 75 percent of the platform’s workforce.
The proposed commission would oversee drastic cuts in federal spending, with the goal of trimming government inefficiencies. In one instance, Musk suggested cutting more than 5 percent of federal workers annually-approximately 150,000 employees. His response to the potential consequences of such a move was candid: “The number of disgruntled workers, former government employees will be quite a scary number.”
Though Musk has not revealed specific details of his proposed cuts, his remarks suggest a willingness to embrace significant disruption. However, his outsized influence in the private sector, where he has near-absolute control over his companies, may not translate directly to Washington.
Critics argue that Musk might be overestimating his ability to reshape the federal government. Under the US Constitution, the power to significantly cut government jobs and spending lies with Congress, not the executive branch. Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program at George Washington University, has pointed out that Musk’s capacity to enact sweeping changes could be constrained by institutional checks and balances. “Our system doesn’t allow that concentration of power into any one office or any one individual that allows them to just rule by fiat the way that Musk can do at X, Tesla, or SpaceX,” Burgat noted.
Indeed, the challenges of implementing Musk’s vision are formidable. Any substantial cuts in federal staffing and spending would require approval from a divided Congress, where both parties may push back on extreme measures. However, others worry that Trump, emboldened by a conservative-leaning Supreme Court, may be able to reset the rules and broaden the powers of the White House.
Richard Barton, a teaching professor at Syracuse University, speculated that Trump could pursue a strategy of pushing his agenda and leaving it to the courts to check his actions. “Trump could decide to do whatever he wants and let somebody file a lawsuit and bring it to the Supreme Court,” Barton suggested, citing the Court’s recent rulings that have bolstered executive power.
While Trump and Musk appear unconcerned about potential conflicts of interest, many observers believe their collaboration presents troubling ethical dilemmas. Musk’s business interests are deeply intertwined with the federal government, particularly in his roles as a major contractor with NASA through SpaceX and in Tesla’s interactions with government regulators. Any efforts by Musk to influence federal policies while simultaneously benefiting from government contracts could raise serious ethical questions.
Moreover, Trump’s record of appointing family members and business associates to key government positions during his first administration has drawn scrutiny. His willingness to overlap personal business interests with public service could further complicate attempts to enforce conflict-of-interest rules. Enforcing such rules would require the political will of Congress, but during Trump’s first term, there was little accountability in this regard. “There’s no umpire calling fouls here,” Burgat remarked, noting the lax enforcement of conflict-of-interest regulations during Trump’s presidency.
If Trump returns to power with Musk by his side, the federal government could be in for a radical overhaul. Musk’s commitment to a leaner, more efficient government may resonate with many voters frustrated by Washington’s perceived inefficiencies, but the real-world consequences of such drastic measures remain uncertain.
Federal employees-many of whom work in critical sectors such as national security, health, and social services-may find themselves at risk under a Musk-led commission. The fallout from mass layoffs at X, which saw an increase in misinformation and a loss of key advertisers, suggests that indiscriminate cuts could lead to unintended consequences for government operations.
The stakes are high, and the partnership between Trump and Musk is a testament to how the boundaries between business and politics are increasingly blurred in modern American governance. With Musk’s direct involvement, a second Trump administration could represent a seismic shift in the way the US government operates-a shift that many are watching with a mixture of curiosity, concern, and trepidation.
Elon Musk’s potential role in a Trump administration, particularly his involvement in shaping drastic cuts to federal spending, underscores the billionaire’s growing political influence. While Musk’s private-sector successes have earned him admiration in some circles, the challenges of translating his cost-cutting ethos to the federal government are immense. With Congress and the Supreme Court as potential barriers-or enablers-Musk’s vision for a more efficient government may be closer to reality than many expect. But whether such radical reforms would benefit the nation remains an open and contentious question.
