TL;DR:
- Donald Trump plans to appoint Elon Musk as “Secretary of Cost-Cutting” in his potential second administration to reduce government spending.
- Musk will not hold a formal cabinet position but will focus on trimming costs without affecting essential services.
- Trump praised Musk’s cost-cutting abilities, citing his actions at X (formerly Twitter) and his commitment to reducing the federal budget by at least $2 trillion.
- Musk has supported Trump’s campaign financially and is expected to play a significant role in shaping government efficiency and space exploration.
In a recent interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed his intention to appoint billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to a newly created role as “Secretary of Cost-Cutting” if Trump secures a second term in office. The announcement highlights Trump’s continued focus on reducing government spending and his reliance on high-profile business figures to achieve these goals.
During an interview with Maria Bartiromo, Trump praised Musk’s business acumen, particularly his ability to streamline operations and reduce costs without sacrificing quality. “He’s dying to do this,” Trump said of Musk, adding that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had promised to trim government expenses while maintaining essential services. However, Trump clarified that Musk would not hold a formal cabinet position, stating, “He doesn’t want to be in the cabinet. He just wants to be in charge of cost-cutting.”
Musk’s potential role would be unprecedented, as no formal government position with such a title currently exists. Nevertheless, Trump has emphasized that Musk’s expertise in cost efficiency, demonstrated through his leadership at Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), makes him the ideal candidate for the task. After acquiring X in 2022, Musk implemented significant cost-cutting measures at the company, including laying off a large portion of the workforce.
The idea of appointing Musk to oversee government spending first surfaced in October 2024 during Trump’s campaign. At that time, Trump suggested that Musk could help eliminate unnecessary federal agencies and reduce overall government expenditures. In fact, Musk has publicly stated that he believes the federal budget could be cut by at least $2 trillion—a figure that represents roughly one-third of the previous year’s federal budget.
Trump’s remarks come just days after his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election on November 5. At his victory speech in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump introduced Musk as “a star is born,” acknowledging Musk’s significant support throughout the campaign. Musk had been an active participant in Trump’s re-election efforts, attending rallies and contributing over $100 million to Republican causes.
While some political analysts have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest—given Musk’s companies’ reliance on government contracts—Trump remains confident in Musk’s ability to reform federal spending. SpaceX, for instance, has secured billions of dollars in contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense, which could lead to questions about how Musk would navigate his dual roles as a business leader and government advisor.
Musk himself has hinted at his willingness to take on such a role. During a recent rally for Trump, he joked about leading a “Department of Government Efficiency,” referencing his commitment to reducing wasteful spending. He also expressed enthusiasm for cutting bureaucratic red tape and promoting innovation within government operations.
In addition to cost-cutting efforts, Trump mentioned that Musk is committed to advancing space exploration during Trump’s potential second term. According to Trump, Musk has vowed to send a rocket to Mars before the end of Trump’s administration—a goal that aligns with SpaceX’s long-term mission of interplanetary exploration.
As January 2025 approaches and Trump’s new administration takes shape, it remains to be seen how this unconventional partnership between Trump and Musk will unfold. However, one thing is clear: Elon Musk’s influence on U.S. policy could expand significantly under a second Trump presidency, potentially reshaping both federal spending practices and space exploration initiatives.
For now, both supporters and critics alike are watching closely as this high-profile collaboration between two of the world’s most prominent figures continues to develop.
Source: USA Today
