Former US President Donald Trump (2016-2021) said on Thursday that if he returns to the White House he will create a government efficiency commission, thus adopting a political idea presented to him by businessman Elon Musk, one of his closest allies in recent times.
“I will create a government efficiency commission responsible for carrying out a financial and performance audit “We need a full review of the entire federal government and recommendations for the drastic reforms that need to be made. We can’t continue as we are now,” the Republican said at the Economic Club of New York.
He explained that the objective of this commission will be identify ways to eliminate unnecessary spending: “This commission will develop an action plan to completely eliminate fraud and improper payments within six months. This will save billions of dollars.”
Trump described Musk, who Forbes says is the richest person in the world, as “a nice, smart guy” who knows what he’s “doing.”
In these elections, in which Trump will face Democrat Kamala Harris this November, Musk has announced his support for the Republican tycoon.
In mid-August, Musk interviewed Trump on his social network and suggested to the presidential candidate that he form a commission to address public spending as a way of tackling inflation.
Musk then said: “I would be “I am delighted to help with such a commission” And the businessman posted on X on Thursday that he hopes to “serve the United States if the opportunity arises” and that he does not need a salary, a title with the position or recognition.”
Trump said Thursday from New York that Musk is already very busy with his companies, but that the businessman has “agreed to step forward.”
However, Musk’s businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX, could interfere with this position with conflicts of interest, since they are regulated by several federal agencies.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is one of SpaceX’s largest customers. Tesla’s car sales and energy business are subsidized by federal tax credits, and its Social Network X is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission.
Besides, his brain implant company Neuralink is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
At his symposium, Trump also said that The US has to fight China for its massive electricity production to power artificial intelligence companies and which will turn its country into the world capital of cryptocurrencies and bitcoin.
Trump also promised reduce the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%but only “for companies that manufacture their products in the United States,” as well as expanding tariffs on products imported from abroad.
