Trump selects Elon Musk to lead government efficiency department

Musk and ex-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head up Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)

Analysis: Musk handpicked to carry out slash-and-burn cuts plan

Elon Musk and the former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

Despite the name, the department will not be a government agency. Trump said in a statement that Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside government to offer the White House advice and guidance" and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before". He added that the move would shock government systems.