September 9, 2024

Trump says he will tap Musk to lead government efficiency commission if elected

NEW YORK, Sept 5 - Republican presidential candidatesday he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by billionaire supporter Elon Musk if he wins during a wide-ranging speech in which he laid out his economic vision for the country.

Trump had been discussing the idea of an efficiency commission with aides for weeks, people with knowledge of those conversations have told Reuters. His Thursday speech, however, was the first time he publicly endorsed the idea.

It was also the first time Trump said Musk had agreed to head the body. Trump did not detail how such a commission would operate, besides saying it would develop a plan to eliminate "fraud and improper payments" within six months of being formed.

"I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government," Trump told an audience that included Trump's former treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, and financiers Scott Bessent and John Paulson.

Musk said on an Aug. 19 podcast that he had held conversations with the former president about the commission and that he would be interested in serving on it.

"I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises," "No pay, no title, no recognition is needed."

ELON MUSK