What Trump Wants To Hire Elon Musk For

Under a potential second Trump administration, prominent business leaders like Elon Musk could be enlisted to address federal inefficiencies and cut unnecessary spending, according to recent reports. Musk, known for his role as the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has shown interest in participating in a “government efficiency commission” designed to streamline regulations and reduce wasteful expenditures.

Other notable figures being considered for this commission include Fred Smith, the former CEO of FedEx, and Robert Nardelli, who previously led Home Depot. Their inclusion would reflect a broader strategy of utilizing business expertise to tackle national fiscal issues. Economist Steve Moore has emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating that identifying and eliminating redundancies is essential to extend the Trump tax cuts and pursue additional policy objectives. Moore pointed out that this kind of comprehensive review has not been undertaken in decades.

While President Trump has mentioned the possibility of offering Musk a position in his Cabinet, the demands of managing his various businesses likely make this impractical. Instead, Trump has suggested that Musk could serve in a consulting role, contributing valuable insights without stepping away from his business responsibilities. As Trump noted in an interview on the Shawn Ryan Show, “He can provide ideas and consult with the country, even if he’s not formally in the Cabinet.”

Trump’s team aims to recruit influential business leaders to identify federal waste, similar to initiatives undertaken during Ronald Reagan’s presidency and by Senator Tom Coburn, who published annual reports on government excesses. However, some concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding Musk’s companies, which receive substantial federal support. Anna Massoglia of OpenSecrets has stressed the need for robust safeguards to ensure that efforts to reduce government waste are not undermined by private sector interests.

Incorporating successful business leaders into this reform effort could offer a practical approach to enhancing government efficiency and accountability, aligning with Republican goals for fiscal responsibility.