I guess the President's advisors did not read my guide to Elon Musk back in November
This guide will help you understand where this is headed
When Trump was re-elected in November, I knew Elon Musk would play an outsized role in government.
I knew him as a public figure—but I didn’t really know what made him tick. So, I took a deep dive: two weeks of books, articles, and podcasts. The result was a piece I wrote in November to help decode how Musk operates.
Now, with the public Twitter-X-Truth Social fallout, it’s worth revisiting. This isn’t just a tech squabble—it’s a window into Musk’s mindset and a preview of where he might be headed next.
Before you dive into the full guide, I’ll leave you with the quote I ended that original piece with:
As Musk himself once said, "When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor."
Here’s the unedited guide I wrote back in November:
27 NOV 2025
The new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and supported by Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to revolutionize government operations. With Musk’s relentless drive, bold decision-making, and knack for disruption, DOGE could streamline bureaucracy and ignite innovation. Or it could blow up into chaos never seen before.
Yet, political deadlines, regulatory hurdles, and Musk’s global ties may complicate progress. Will DOGE deliver on its promise to cut inefficiency, or will it spark more controversy than results? Dive into this newsletter to explore the potential and share your thoughts.
For those of you with more time, enjoy the Full Read.
The Full Read: U.S. Tomorrow – The Next Chapter
Welcome to the first newsletter of the next chapter for USTomorrow, today we dive into one of the most intriguing examples of possible bipartisanship and collaboration with the potential for enormous impact: the creation of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Led by none other than Elon Musk and supported by figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, this initiative presents a unique opportunity to rethink and rebuild the machinery of governance. To understand its potential, we must first delve into the mind of Elon Musk.
The Mind of Elon Musk
Over the past month, I immersed myself in two in-depth biographies of Elon Musk, dedicating nearly 30 hours to understanding the man behind Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, Twitter and now DOGE. Musk’s history offers critical insights into what his leadership might bring to the table:
1. Builder by Nature
From his early ventures like Zip2 and PayPal to SpaceX and Tesla, Musk has consistently demonstrated a relentless drive to create. His successes reflect not just passion but an almost obsessive persistence. Whether launching reusable rockets, scaling Tesla’s production, or developing Starship, Musk embodies the archetype of a builder unafraid of risk and failure. His ability to challenge norms and push boundaries will be pivotal for the new Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE).
2. Unflinching Decision-Maker
Musk’s self-disclosed Asperger’s syndrome influences his management style. While some see his lack of traditional empathy as a flaw, it allows him to make tough, often controversial decisions. Whether reducing Twitter’s workforce by 75% or replacing underperforming leaders at Tesla, Musk prioritizes efficiency and results over sentimentality.
3. Love-Hate Relationship with Government
While Musk has benefited significantly from federal contracts (e.g., NASA and DoD funding for SpaceX), he has frequently clashed with these same agencies. His tendency to challenge entrenched systems and regulations will likely shape his approach to DOGE, particularly as he works to streamline bureaucracy. This theme of battling the “industrial complex” that lives around the military, space, transportation, etc… will be front and center in his DOGE efforts.
4. The “Surge” Mentality
Musk thrives under pressure and often embraces what he calls "the surge": intense, focused efforts to achieve ambitious goals. Whether it’s producing 5,000 Teslas in a week or relocating a server farm across three states, Musk’s ability to execute rapid transformations will be a defining feature of DOGE’s operations.
5. Advocate for Obama and Change in Government and Space
Elon Musk was an early supporter of President Barack Obama, contributing significantly to his campaign and benefiting from the administration’s policies that opened the space industry to privatization. These changes allowed commercial companies like SpaceX to compete for NASA contracts, revolutionizing the way cargo and humans are transported to and from space.
This collaboration highlights Musk’s ability to navigate government partnerships while driving innovation. His experience balancing advocacy and enterprise will be a key asset as he leads the Department of Government Efficiency, blending disruption with collaboration to tackle entrenched inefficiencies.
The Challenge of DOGE
While DOGE holds promise, its political shelf life may be short. With the 2026 midterms looming, Musk and his team will need to act fast. One of Musk's guiding principles is his focus on simplification—questioning every regulation, stripping processes to their core, and rebuilding with only the essentials.
For example, Musk’s approach could echo the success of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process from the 1990s. By insulating recommendations from political interference, BRAC streamlined military infrastructure and saved billions. However, applying this model to a broader government context will be fraught with challenges. Especially as members of both parties seek re-election in the House in 2026.
Potential Areas of Impact
1. Innovation vs. Regulation
The United States is heavily burdened by outdated rules, often stifling creativity. For instance, autonomous vehicles, which are statistically safer than human drivers, are still hindered by regulatory hurdles. A more efficient system could accelerate their adoption, saving lives and reducing costs associated with accidents.
2. Global Implications
Musk’s close ties with China present a potential conflict. Tesla's success in the Chinese market could be jeopardized by tensions between the U.S. and China, complicating Musk’s role in DOGE and his relationship with policymakers.
3. Disrupting the Status Quo
Musk’s philosophy of “The Algorithm” is very similar to my thoughts on rules—that most rules apply to 95% of people 95% of the time—will challenge conventional wisdom. His push to simplify and innovate aligns with the department’s mission to overhaul inefficiencies. For example, highway and road safety regulations could benefit from Musk’s disruptive approach, paving the way for safer, more efficient transportation systems.
4. More on “The Algorithm” of Elon Musk
Elon Musk employs a systematic approach to enhance efficiency and streamline processes, often referred to as his "5-Step Algorithm." This methodology emphasizes critical evaluation and simplification:
Question Every Requirement: Scrutinize all requirements, regardless of their origin. Identify the individual responsible for each, rather than attributing them to a department, to ensure accountability and relevance.
Delete Any Part or Process You Can: Aggressively eliminate components or steps that may be unnecessary. Musk advises that if you don't end up adding back at least 10% of the removed elements, you haven't deleted enough.
Simplify and Optimize: After removing superfluous parts, focus on simplifying and optimizing the remaining processes. Avoid the common mistake of optimizing elements that shouldn't exist in the first place.
Accelerate Cycle Time: Work to speed up processes, but only after completing the first three steps. Musk notes that accelerating a flawed process is counterproductive.
Automate: Automation should be the final step. Automating inefficient or unnecessary processes can lead to greater inefficiency. Ensure that all previous steps are addressed before implementing automation.
By rigorously applying this algorithm, Musk aims to eliminate inefficiencies and foster innovation within his organizations.
Final Thoughts
Elon Musk is a paradox—a brilliant builder, an unconventional leader, and a polarizing figure. Whether you view him as a visionary or an eccentric billionaire, both perspectives hold truth. His participation in DOGE will undoubtedly spark controversy, but it also brings a rare opportunity for systemic change.
As Musk himself once said, "When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor." Let’s see how DOGE—and Musk—shape the future of government efficiency.
What are your thoughts on Musk’s role in reshaping government?
I’d love to hear your feedback—reply to this email or share your thoughts on social media with #USTomorrow.