Trump says he’d create a government efficiency commission led by Elon Musk

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said Thursday he would create a government efficiency commission to audit the entire federal government, an idea floated by billionaire Elon Muskwho would lead it.

The commission is the last attention-grabbing alliance between Trump and Musk, who runs companies including Tesla and SpaceX and has been increasingly vocal in supporting Trump’s bid to return to the White House.

The Republican presidential candidate claimed in a speech to the Economic Club of New York that fraud and improper payments alone are estimated to cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars in 2022. He said the commission would recommend “drastic reforms” and develop a plan to eliminate fraud and improper payments within six months, which he said would save trillions of dollars.

“We have to do it,” Trump said. “We can’t continue the way we’re doing it.”

Trump has also pledged to eliminate 10 government regulations for every new regulation enacted if he is elected in November.

“I look forward to serving America when the opportunity arises,” Musk said wrote on Xthe social media platform he owns. “No payment, no title, no recognition is needed.”