‘Crazy Town’: Analyst Sounds Alarm Over Trump’s ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ DOGE Team
By Jake Beardslee ·
December 11, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is already courting controversy as key figures Elon Musk and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) prepare to lead drastic federal budget cuts. The initiative, which aims to slash one-third of the federal budget, or approximately $2 trillion, has drawn criticism and predictions of dysfunction. Lannis Waters / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tesla CEO Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have been tasked with identifying sweeping government reductions, while Greene heads a congressional committee to collaborate with the executive branch. Critics, however, see the pairing of Musk and Greene as a recipe for disaster. Greg Sargent, writing in The New Republic, described the combination as “crazy town” in his "Daily Blast" rundown, pointing to the lack of experience and polarizing personas of both leaders. Justin Pacheco / Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Some Republicans have expressed quiet concern that Greene’s involvement could derail the initiative. Known for her sporadic attendance and controversial behavior, Greene has been described as a “ticking time bomb,” according to RawStory. As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) quipped in a post on X, "She barely shows up and doesn’t do the reading." Dimitri Rodriguez / Wikimedia
Gil Duran, a tech writer and close observer of Musk, suggested that Musk’s primary motivation might be self-promotion. “On a daily basis, Elon Musk has to be the center of attention at all times,” Duran stated. He warned that the attempt to gut popular federal programs will likely backfire politically. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Duran’s outlook for DOGE is grim, likening the endeavor to Musk “pulling the wings off a butterfly.” Pairing Musk’s provocative leadership style with Greene’s unpredictable behavior, he suggested, is akin to “throwing gasoline on a fire.” Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
While the initiative may excite MAGA supporters, some experts anticipate it will face significant public and political backlash once the consequences of the cuts become apparent. Megan Mendoza/ The Republic/ USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
