Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have launched a new initiative to tackle government spending, announcing on Thursday that they are recruiting “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries” to work on ambitious cost-cutting measures. The panel, named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is soliciting applications for unpaid roles requiring gruelling hours and a willingness to confront entrenched bureaucracies. In a post on X, DOGE said, “We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.” We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE. We don’t need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If that’s… — Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) November 14, 2024 Musk emphasised the demanding nature of the roles, adding, “Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lots of enemies & compensation is zero. What a great deal!” Despite the lack of pay, he described the jobs as a vital contribution to the country’s future, claiming, “This will greatly help America”, as reported by NBC news. President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier this week that Musk and Ramaswamy will co-chair an advisory board tasked with identifying ways to slash federal spending, streamline regulations, and restructure government agencies. Among their proposals are mass layoffs and severe cuts to federal programs. The commission has until 4 July 2026 to submit its recommendations, although it is not yet a formal federal department and would require congressional approval to gain official status. Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and owner of X, has faced questions about the scope of the spending cuts, particularly given SpaceX’s $3.8 billion in federal contracts this year. On Wednesday, he called for eliminating funding for nonprofit organisations receiving government grants, writing, “‘Government-funded non-governmental organisations’ is obviously a contradiction in terms. They are just an illegal arm of the government.” Ramaswamy, a former biotech executive and Republican presidential primary candidate, shares Musk’s vision for sweeping reforms. The DOGE initiative has attracted thousands of responses online, with individuals submitting spending cut suggestions and expressing interest in joining the project. However, the panel’s X account clarified, “We don’t need more part-time idea generators. We need full-time staff members.” While the authenticity of the posts is unconfirmed, Musk’s apparent endorsement through reposts has lent credibility to the initiative. The commission’s focus and proposals have sparked a mix of enthusiasm and scepticism as it begins its controversial mission to reshape federal spending and efficiency. (with inputs from NBC news)
