讀後心得

Elon Musk is set to exit the "Office of Efficiency in Government" established by Trump, with reports indicating that he will only take on a supplementary role and face time constraints. The White House has denied that a decision has been made, while Musk referred to the related reports as "fake news." He has pushed for radical reforms in the government, cutting a large number of positions and implementing digital transformations, claiming to have saved $100 billion, although the data has not been independently audited. Musk's political activities have impacted Tesla's stock price, which recently rose following news of his departure. Trump stated that the department will still operate without Musk, implying that his importance may be downplayed. Musk may return to the business world in the future, but he does not rule out continued political involvement.

According to reports from American media, billionaire, publicity expert, and government advisor Elon Musk is set to leave the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) established by Trump. Trump reportedly hinted at Musk's departure during a cabinet meeting, indicating that in the future, he will only play an “auxiliary role.” However, the White House has denied this news, stating that no decision has been made yet, while Musk referred to it as “fake news.” What is certain is that Musk's role has been time-limited from the beginning: as a so-called “special government employee,” he can work for the government a maximum of 130 days per year and can, under specific exemptions, be exempt from stricter ethical standards or transparency obligations. However, there is no public evidence to show that he has obtained this permission. By early June, Musk will reach this time limit, thus his official departure from the “Department of Government Efficiency” seems to be just a matter of time. Recent polls show that Musk is becoming increasingly controversial among the American public, as the majority oppose his radical reform approach.

Musk is not just an advisor - he has almost become a “shadow figure” to the president. Few can compare with him in terms of prominence and influence next to Trump. Whether in the Oval Office, during state visits, or on the golf course over the weekend, Musk’s presence is almost always visible. Trump even had Tesla’s new car model debut on the White House lawn, providing political endorsement and image promotion for the company. However, behind this superficial mutual praise, there have long been undercurrents. Criticism within the Republican Party has recently intensified, with voices including those of the Secretary of State and former presidential advisors accusing Musk of being overly self-centered and ostentatious.

The “Department of Government Efficiency” is Trump’s response to his campaign promise to “drain the swamp in Washington.” He leveraged Musk as an ally, who, with his entrepreneurial approach, committed to driving radical reforms. In a short time, Musk implemented drastic measures: federal agencies eliminated over 20,000 positions and offered voluntary separation compensation to an additional 75,000 employees. Structural reorganization is also in preparation, such as incorporating the United States Postal Service under the management of the Department of Commerce. The most notable radical reform measure is the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is responsible for foreign development aid. At the same time, some key administrative processes have rapidly advanced towards digital reform, including the comprehensive digitization of pension files in Pennsylvania and the payroll system for over 270,000 federal employees. The “Department of Government Efficiency” claims to have saved over $100 billion through these reforms; however, this figure has not been independently audited, and investigations by several media outlets have shown significant discrepancies in the official data.

In addition to serving as a government advisor, Musk has also continued to be active in political donations since being elected. He recently provided $20 million in funding for the Republican candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but ultimately it did not succeed. The Democrats successfully mobilized voters, largely viewing Musk as a target for negative publicity. Musk himself has increasingly felt the pressure that political involvement brings, with Tesla’s revenues declining by 13% in the first quarter. After news of Musk’s impending departure emerged, Tesla’s stock price quickly rebounded, reflecting that his government role had become a significant burden on his business operations.

Trump has stated that even without Musk, the “Department of Government Efficiency” will continue to operate. He has also downplayed Musk's importance, emphasizing that the federal agencies themselves are the true entities responsible for budget savings. Musk's future direction after potentially stepping down remains unclear; he may refocus on his own business, but the possibility of continued political involvement cannot be completely ruled out. Some believe that Musk is likely to remain active in politics, as he adeptly navigates between liberals and national conservatives. As a disruptive reformer, Musk has left a profound mark on the U.S. political landscape, shaking the core institutions of the state and exacerbating political division. For Trump, Musk and his donations were once an important support force, but there are already signs indicating that this alliance may transform into a political burden for the president.

• Musk will exit the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE).
• Musk's role is limited by time and he will play an auxiliary role in the future.
• Public opinion is against Musk's radical reform approach.
• Both still agree on the basic direction, aiming to weaken the power of the administrative state.
• Musk has implemented a series of radical reform measures, despite controversies.
• Political activities have put pressure on Tesla's stock price.
• Musk's future belonging and political participation remain uncertain.