Former President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will establish a government efficiency commission to audit federal agencies if elected in 2024. The commission will be led by billionaire Elon Musk, who has agreed to take on the role.
The commission will conduct a “complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government” and make recommendations for “drastic reforms” to eliminate waste, fraud, and improper payments. Trump claimed this could save taxpayers trillions of dollars while maintaining current service levels.
“At the suggestion of Elon Musk, who has given me his complete and total endorsement—isn’t that nice? Smart guy, he knows what he’s doing—I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government and making recommendations for drastic reforms,” Trump said during a speech in New York.
Musk, who leads companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has increasingly aligned himself with Trump’s political goals. He expressed enthusiasm for the role, writing on X: “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises. No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.”
The announcement comes as Trump aims to tackle economic issues like inflation and government spending ahead of the 2024 election. He also vowed to cut 10 regulations for every new one implemented and rescind unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Critics argue the move is an attempt to consolidate power and undermine the civil service. But Trump and Musk believe the commission can streamline government and eliminate waste. It remains to be seen if the ambitious plan will come to fruition.
