In an early morning post on Truth Social today, President Donald Trump praised billionaire Elon Musk’s work as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but called for a more forceful approach to his reform agenda. “Elon is doing a great job, but I would like to see him get more aggressive. Remember, we have a country to save, but ultimately, to make it greater than ever before. MAGA!”
The message comes as Musk’s DOGE initiative has already made waves, slashing thousands of federal jobs since January and pushing aggressive cost-cutting measures across government agencies. Hours later, Elon Musk responded directly on X, the social media platform he owns, with a concise pledge: “Will do, Mr. President!”
Will do, Mr. President! pic.twitter.com/2VMS2wY7mw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2025
Unlike traditional government departments, DOGE operates as an advisory body rather than a Congressionally established agency, granting Musk and his team significant latitude to pursue aggressive cost-cutting and workforce reduction initiatives.
The Trump administration escalated those efforts by starting to terminate most of an estimated 200,000 employees, targeting probationary employees across agencies like the Department of Education, the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Additionally, approximately 75,000 federal workers have accepted “deferred resignation” buyout plans, according to estimates from the Office of Personnel Management.
Musk’s efforts have not been without controversy. The DOGE initiative has sparked widespread uproar, with critics—including unions, Democratic lawmakers, and affected federal workers—decrying the mass layoffs and accusing the administration of undermining essential government functions. Legal challenges have emerged, with courts issuing mixed rulings.
The close partnership between Trump and Musk, forged during Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign, where Musk emerged as a major financial backer, reportedly contributing $250 million, has since given Musk unprecedented influence in the administration. He operates from an office in the West Wing and oversees DOGE.
Supporters of DOGE, including Trump, argue that these measures are fulfilling a mandate from the American people, who voted for “major government reform” in the 2024 election. Trump has claimed that DOGE has uncovered “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse.”
DOGE’s own website boasts $55 billion in federal savings since January, yet independent analyses suggest the actual figure may be closer to $2 billion, with some listed contract terminations yielding no immediate financial benefit.
Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs.
