Elon Musk has recently been humorously dubbed the ‘real’ president of the United States, amid revelations about his role in the federal government. Initially, the relationship between Musk and former President Donald Trump was somewhat complicated, but it solidified during Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Musk has since taken up a position as a special government employee in the newly established Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), which focuses on reducing government costs, modernizing technology, and enhancing productivity while addressing waste and fraud.
Despite his official designation, Musk’s role has sparked discussions and memes on social media, with some critics questioning his influence and authority. Many citizens express frustration, arguing that they never voted for Musk and are concerned about his prominent role in government operations. An example of the need for efficiency arose when it was reported that the Air Force was spending over $1,200 on single reheatable coffee cups, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
In a recent interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Trump and Musk conversed about their evolving partnership. Musk humorously described himself as merely ‘tech support’ for Trump, while the former president emphasized that
Musk’s responsibilities include streamlining bureaucratic processes and executing decisions quickly. Trump, known for his use of executive orders, suggested that Musk has made a significant impact by reducing delays in implementation.
While Musk’s title is technically ‘senior advisor to the president’, new documents indicate that he lacks formal authority to make governmental decisions independently. Although Trump praised Musk’s intelligence and capability, it is clear that the tech mogul’s actual influence within the department is limited, with the president acknowledging the challenge of finding someone as capable to support his administration.
