President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk to lead a new initiative aimed at reducing U.S. government bureaucracy. Alongside Musk, Trump has named Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, as the new Secretary of Defense.
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, had previously suggested during the campaign that he could help eliminate waste from the federal budget, claiming he could save $2 trillion. In a statement, Trump announced that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, will provide guidance from the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
“Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies,” Trump stated. He likened their efforts to “The Manhattan Project” of modern times.
Trump’s announcement also included Hegseth’s appointment as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, who has co-hosted “Fox and Friends Weekend” since 2014, has a military background as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard and served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He has earned two Bronze Stars for his service.
“Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” Trump said. Hegseth has also been involved with conservative veterans’ advocacy groups and hosted various specials on Fox News.
Trump highlighted Hegseth’s recent book, “The War on Warriors,” which discusses the perceived betrayal of military personnel by left-leaning policies. The book spent nine weeks on the New York Times best-seller list.
Musk expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating that it would “send shockwaves through the system” regarding government waste. He and Ramaswamy are expected to complete their work by July 4, 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
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