What to Expect From Elon Musk’s Government Makeover

Marina Koren: “Musk’s role is a glaring conflict of interest; SpaceX has been an aerospace contractor for years and could stand to profit nicely from the creation of DOGE, which could shift government functions to private companies in the name of cost cutting. But it also raises a question with real stakes for Americans. How might Musk—the centibillionaire, innovator, right-wing activist, and relentless troll—actually steer this new effort? His leadership of his businesses, especially SpaceX, suggests that he’ll throw himself into the job with zeal, casting government efficiency as an existential effort, just like the quest to make life multiplanetary.”

“SpaceX is the most successful rocket company in America, and it became successful by not behaving like a government organization. It ascended under Musk, who adopted Silicon Valley’s ‘Move fast and break things’ philosophy and displayed a willingness to blow up rockets until he got the recipe just right. The approach suggests that, in a SpaceX-inspired government, Musk would not just cut through red tape, but annihilate it with a flamethrower.”