Elon Musk, initially unfamiliar with the federal government, was chosen by Donald Trump to lead a commission aimed at overhauling bureaucracy. Following interviews with over 60 insiders, it was revealed that Musk engaged in intense discussions at Mar-a-Lago, learning the intricacies of the executive branch from seasoned operatives. His team sought insider access rather than a traditional commission, focusing on the U.S. Digital Service to facilitate quick penetration of government systems. Pushing for sweeping reforms, Musk laid groundwork for significant changes before Biden’s inauguration, establishing connections within the digital service to aid the transition and gather crucial information.
Billionaire Elon Musk had limited knowledge of the federal government’s functions when Donald J. Trump appointed him last year to head a commission aimed at reforming the bureaucracy.
The New York Times spoke with over 60 individuals acquainted with Mr. Musk’s initiative to uncover new insights about the operation, which was planned out in a series of private meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, as well as through initial intelligence-gathering efforts in Washington.
Here’s what we discovered:
He underwent an intensive learning experience in the executive branch.
Seated at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida following the election, Mr. Musk delved into the intricacies of the bureaucracy, guided by experienced conservative figures like Stephen Miller, who now serves as deputy chief of staff, and Russell T. Vought, who is currently the director of the Office of Management and Budget.
He recognized the benefits of an insider approach.
Mr. Musk and his team aimed for more than just a traditional commission like those created by budget-conscious predecessors; they sought direct access to governmental operations. They identified a lesser-known unit, the U.S. Digital Service, which President Barack Obama established in 2014 after the troubled launch of healthcare.gov.
The Musk team realized they could leverage the digital office, whose personnel had been devoted to assisting agencies in resolving technology issues, to swiftly infiltrate the federal government — and then figure out how to dismantle it.
He advocated for bold changes, reminiscent of those implemented at Twitter.
Mr. Musk showed impatience regarding cautions that a multitude of lawyers would be necessary to navigate executive orders and regulations. He urged his advisors to explore methods for reducing the federal workforce.
His team set the stage prior to Inauguration Day.
The team initiated its engagement with the digital service office sooner than previously reported, while President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was still serving, positioning itself to operate from Mr. Trump’s first day in office.
Around the time Mr. Musk pinpointed the unit as integral to his strategy late last year, the Trump transition gained a crucial insider ally: Amy Gleason. A veteran of the digital service, Ms. Gleason returned to its staff as a senior advisor at the end of the Biden administration and was introduced to other employees as a supporter of the Trump transition. Ms. Gleason, who would eventually be named DOGE’s acting administrator, suggested the unit onboard several young engineers who would later form part of Mr. Musk’s team.
Meanwhile, Mr. Musk’s allies spread throughout the government during the transition, gathering intelligence on computer systems, contracts, and personnel.
Timeline: How the DOGE Takeover Transpired
What began as casual reflections by Mr. Musk at a dinner gathering in 2023 transformed into an ambitious takeover of the federal bureaucracy. The plan took shape during the weeks leading up to Mr. Trump’s inauguration.