Elon Musk has a new job doing something he knows a great deal about: firing people. Lots of people. Now he’s about to test his axing skills on the greatest downsizing challenge in American history.
He is co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently formed by President-elect Donald Trump to cut back government regulations, dismiss unneeded workers, and save money. Musk’s partner is Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotech entrepreneur and candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Their ambition is staggering. In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, they write that they anticipate “mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy,” which will be their primary tool for cutting costs. Ramaswamy has suggested firing 75% of federal employees.
