Elon Musk Calls for U.S. to ‘Delete Entire Agencies’ from Federal Government

Elon Musk urged the U.S. to delete federal agencies during a talk in Dubai, reflecting a push for reduced spending under Trump’s administration. He highlighted the dangers of bureaucracy, voiced a more isolationist American foreign policy, criticized diversity efforts related to AI, and announced plans for a major infrastructure project. His growing influence in government is noteworthy, raising questions about priorities and the implications of his actions.

Elon Musk stirred up quite a buzz during his recent address at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, UAE, calling for the United States to “delete entire agencies” as part of a broader strategy to overhaul government spending and priorities under President Trump’s banner. Dressed in a casual black tee emblazoned with – Tech Support,” Musk expressed that there’s a stark contrast between bureaucratic rule and democracy in America.

He voiced concern over the expanding bureaucracy, emphasizing a need for drastic action. “If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back,” Musk argued. His comments carried additional weight, as he has gained significant influence in government since taking on a role focused on government efficiency, which has seen him sidelining career officials and pushing boundaries on presidential authority.

Musk’s commentary also reflected an increasingly isolationist stance regarding U.S. involvement in the Middle East. With reference to various agencies like USAID, he criticized the current administration’s approach, quipping, “how much democracy have they achieved lately?” He suggested, essentially, that America’s interference in international affairs should take a back seat. Speaking in a nation led by absolute monarchies, he noted that the U.S. should focus on domestic issues rather than pursue regime changes abroad.

Moreover, he discussed the Trump administration’s push against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), raising a hypothetical concern that an AI programmed with such a DEI mindset might make drastic decisions. His skepticism towards the current reach of AI was clear, particularly when he referred to the upcoming AI chatbot from X, named Grok 3—describing it as a little unsettling.

In a notable business move, Musk revealed he led a staggering $97.4 billion takeover bid for OpenAI, criticizing its transformation under Sam Altman’s influence. He likened it to a once environmentally focused nonprofit turning into a lumber company, suggesting dramatic shifts in intent. There’s speculation he might withdraw his bid unless OpenAI halts plans to switch to a for-profit structure.

Further emphasizing his vision for transportation, Musk introduced plans for a “Dubai Loop,” a massive underground transit project in keeping with his ongoing innovations at the Boring Company. The initiative, if realized, would establish a 17-kilometer underground network designed to transport over 20,000 passengers per hour. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Dubai’s crown prince, confirmed this exploration without divulging financial details. Musk was enthusiastic, claiming, “It’s going to be like a wormhole. You just wormhole from one part of the city — boom — and you’re out in another part of the city.”

In summary, Elon Musk’s recent remarks at the World Governments Summit provided a bold critique of U.S. bureaucracy and international policy while unveiling ambitious transportation plans. His call to eliminate entire federal agencies seeks to radically shift governmental focus and spending. Musk’s growing influence in shaping government efficiency underlines a significant shift in power dynamics, raising questions about both domestic priorities and the future of AI. That combined with his business maneuvers in AI and transit hints at potentially transformative changes ahead.

Original Source: www.pbs.org