Trump acknowledged Elon Musk’s proposal for a government efficiency commission for the first time in a speech at an event hosted by The Economic Club of New York. He stated the commission will perform a complete financial and performance audit of any department in the federal government, with an emphasis on retrieving fraudulent or unnecessary payments from programs.
The commission would then advise “draconian reforms” to make things run better, with the idea of eliminating fraud and waste within six months of creating it.
“I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government,” Trump said in his speech.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a proprietary social media platform X is committed to chairing the commission if asked. He posted on X, “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises. No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.”
During an interview with Trump on X last month, Musk suggested it would be a good idea to form such a commission and that he is willing to help. “I’d be happy to help out on such a commission,” he said.
Asked if Musk would have a part in his administration, Trump replied he “absolutely” would bring him on board but that the busy tech executive likely wouldn’t be able to fit such work into his schedule of overseeing multiple businesses. But he did not rule out inviting Musk to advise, especially on AI and other such subjects.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees which represents 750,000 federal workers called Trump’s proposal one way to offset a pay raise.
Efficiency commissions are not a new idea; The Grace Commission — established by GOP President Ronald Reagan during his 1981-89 administration — functioned under the same auspices.
