Efficiency − Or Empire? How Elon Musk’s Hostile Takeover Could End Government as We Know It

Elon Musk speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Elon Musk speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Matt Rourke/AP
1 min read
Share
Elon Musk speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Elon Musk speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Matt Rourke/AP
Efficiency − Or Empire? How Elon Musk’s Hostile Takeover Could End Government as We Know It
Copy

Elon Musk’s role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, is on the surface a dramatic effort to overhaul the inefficiencies of federal bureaucracy. But beneath the rhetoric of cost-cutting and regulatory streamlining lies a troubling scenario.

Musk has been appointed what is called a “special government employee” in charge of the White House office formerly known as the U.S. Digital Service, which was renamed the U.S. DOGE Service on the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term. The Musk team’s purported goals are to maximize efficiency and to eliminate waste and redundancy.

That might sound like a bold move toward Silicon Valley-style innovation in governance. However, the deeper motivations driving Musk’s involvement are unlikely to be purely altruistic.

Read the rest of this article on The Conversation.

From “Crumbling Bridge” to “Bumpy Rhodes,” the Bucci family creates ice cream flavors that celebrate – and poke fun at – the state’s imperfect landmarks, including the Washington Bridge
While the Washington Bridge closure has led to millions in lost revenue for Providence’s hospitality sector, businesses in Bristol County are seeing unexpected growth, highlighting regional resilience and shifting consumer behavior
The ‘Hands Off’ protest was organized by a mix of local labor, environmental and political groups
Proposed $165M in borrowing receives negative outlook from S&P
The Ivy League school said it could not substantiate the planned cuts widely reported by national news outlets
APRIL 6, 2025 - AUGUST 10, 2025