President-elect Trump recently appointed “the Great Elon Musk” and “American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy” to co-lead a new department aimed at reducing government waste. Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the dual appointment, arguing it contradicts the department’s mission of efficiency. Others viewed it as Trump sidelining Musk and Ramaswamy with a token role.

However, assuming Musk will treat this as a mere formality overlooks his potential to reshape the role with his usual fervor. Analysts and investors are paying close attention, as Musk has often clashed with regulatory agencies over what he perceives as excessive government interference, citing personal experiences with his companies — especially SpaceX, which has received billions in federal contracts over the past decade. Ironically, Musk now finds himself in a position to limit the very agencies that regulate his businesses.

Musk, known for his bold ideas, has already proposed cutting hundreds of federal agencies and reducing the $6 trillion budget by $2 trillion. For him, reducing government size aligns with his business goals, and he justifies it as a public service. Musk has a history of turning potential conflicts of interest into advantages, and this appointment may be no different.

Tesla’s stock has risen since Election Day, suggesting that shareholders are largely unfazed by Musk’s new political engagement. He assured investors that his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) won’t be an official government position, allowing him to continue leading Tesla. The department is also set to conclude by Independence Day, 2026, giving investors additional reassurance.

Despite this, Musk’s involvement with DOGE could strengthen his influence and reinforce his public image. On his platform, X (formerly Twitter), Musk noted that DOGE’s work will be shared publicly, allowing people to voice their opinions on government spending decisions. He also proposed a “leaderboard” for the most “insanely dumb” uses of taxpayer money.

Musk’s charisma and flair for showmanship shine through in this role, further reinforcing his brand as an outsider willing to take on big challenges. As Musk put it, the work ahead will be both “extremely tragic and extremely entertaining,” leaving it unclear whom he had in mind as the audience.