Donald Trump Pledges New ‘Government Efficiency’ Commission With Elon Musk At The Helm

Trump’s Bold Plan for Government Efficiency

Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost government efficiency if he wins the upcoming presidential election.

Speaking at the New York Economic Club on Thursday, Trump outlined his vision for a streamlined federal government, which includes the creation of a new “Government Efficiency” commission led by Elon Musk.

“If elected, I will create a government efficiency commission to audit the entire federal government, eliminate fraud, and make drastic reforms,” Trump announced to a room of business leaders. “We need to cut the waste, and I believe Elon Musk is the perfect person to lead this effort.”

The proposed commission would be tasked with conducting a full financial and performance audit of federal agencies within six months of its formation. Trump emphasised that its main focus would be on reducing fraud and eliminating improper payments, a concern he’s often voiced in his previous speeches.

Musk’s Role in the Government Efficiency Commission

Trump’s choice of Elon Musk to head this new commission is not surprising, given Musk’s reputation as an entrepreneur who challenges the status quo. Musk himself has already responded positively to the proposal, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises. No pay, no title, no recognition needed.”

Musk has been a controversial figure in recent years, particularly after purchasing X in 2022 and lifting the ban on Trump’s account. His endorsement of Trump after an assassination attempt on the former president in July only solidified his political alignment.

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Despite this, Musk’s involvement in government reform raises questions. The U.S. government already has the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a watchdog agency dedicated to investigating federal spending and performance. Critics argue that creating another commission could lead to redundancy.

Criticism from the Federal Employee Union

Not everyone is on board with Donald Trump’s proposal. Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), criticized the plan.

“This is just another attempt to undermine the civil service sector and replace hardworking professionals with political allies,” Kelley told Reuters. “There’s nothing efficient about that.”

Kelley represents about 750,000 federal employees, many of whom could be affected by any future reforms proposed by the commission. He warned that such changes would likely lead to layoffs and further politicization of the government workforce.

Economic Policy: The Centerpiece of Trump’s Campaign

Economic reform has been a cornerstone of Trump’s re-election campaign. His Thursday speech also touched on familiar topics, including reducing corporate taxes, cutting government spending, and slashing regulations on energy production.

Trump’s latest proposal includes a 15 percent corporate tax rate, reduced from the current 21 percent, but only for companies that manufacture in the United States. “We need to bring jobs back to America, and we can do that by cutting taxes for businesses that commit to building here,” he stated.

In addition, D0nald Trump promised to open large portions of federal land for housing construction. These “low-tax, low-regulation” zones, as he called them, would encourage more homebuilding to lower housing costs across the country.

Cryptocurrency in Trump’s Vision for the Economy

Another surprising element of Trump’s speech was his embrace of cryptocurrency. Trump said he would work to integrate cryptocurrency into the national economy, positioning the U.S. as a global leader in this emerging financial field. “We need to move forward, and cryptocurrency is a big part of that future,” Trump said.

This is a notable shift from Trump’s past comments on cryptocurrency, where he expressed skepticism. However, with the growing influence of digital currencies, especially among younger voters, this move may signal an attempt to capture a broader demographic.

Trump vs. Kamala Harris: The 2024 Election Battle

With Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate, the economy remains a central issue for both campaigns.

Trump and Harris have offered competing visions of economic reform. While Trump focuses on deregulation and tax cuts, Harris’s platform highlights price control on groceries, first-time homebuyer assistance, and increased capital gains taxes for wealthy Americans.

Speaking at a recent event, Harris emphasized the need for a 28 percent tax on investment profits for top earners, contrasting Trump’s plan to lower corporate taxes. “We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy,” Harris said, appealing to middle-class voters.

Polls suggest a tight race, with Trump and Harris neck and neck in many battleground states. Both candidates face the challenge of addressing voter concerns about the cost of living, housing, and economic growth.

As the election nears, Trump’s promise of a government efficiency commission with Elon Musk at the helm could prove to be a defining moment in his campaign.

While the proposal has generated both excitement and criticism, it highlights Trump’s continued push for economic reform and his willingness to collaborate with bold, unconventional figures like Musk.