With Elon Musk stepping down from his role leading the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the focus in Washington has now shifted to identifying who might succeed him in spearheading President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut wasteful spending.
Musk, who oversaw the waste-cutting task force for the first 130 days of the new administration, announced his departure via a post on X this week. In his statement, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending and expressed his belief that the DOGE mission would continue to strengthen within the government.
However, the immediate question is whether President Trump will appoint a direct successor to Musk. A senior White House official previously indicated that the existing DOGE employees within each agency will continue to report to and execute the president’s agenda through their respective department heads. This suggests that DOGE’s operations might be integrated into the existing governmental structure without a single individual leading the charge. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating that the “DOGE leaders are each and every member of the president’s cabinet and the president himself,” emphasizing their commitment to cutting waste.
Despite these statements suggesting a distributed leadership model for DOGE moving forward, speculation remains about potential individuals who could step into Musk’s shoes if President Trump decides to appoint a new, public-facing leader. Several names have been floated as possible candidates:
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Amy Gleason: A current government employee who also worked in the first Trump administration, Gleason has been serving as the acting chief of the United States DOGE Service (USDS) since February. Her behind-the-scenes role and career official status could make her a logical choice if the president prefers a less public figure to lead DOGE’s efforts within the existing cabinet structure.
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Russell Vought: As the Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Vought has already played a significant role in DOGE’s waste-cutting initiatives. Reports suggest that Vought intends to continue these efforts in his current position. His close ties to Trump and more reserved demeanor compared to Musk could make him a viable option. However, his political affiliations and past involvement with conservative projects might draw criticism.
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Vivek Ramaswamy: A former GOP presidential candidate who has become a key ally of President Trump, Ramaswamy has been frequently mentioned as a potential replacement for Musk. He briefly co-led DOGE alongside Musk at the beginning of Trump’s term before stepping down to focus on his campaign for Ohio governor in 2026. While aligned with Musk’s and Trump’s goals for cutting government waste, his gubernatorial ambitions make his return to a full-time role within DOGE seem unlikely.
The article concludes by noting that while the White House suggests a continuation of DOGE’s mission through existing leadership, the possibility of a new individual taking the helm remains open, with Gleason, Vought, and Ramaswamy being potential contenders.
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