Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian-American biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have kicked off a recruitment drive for their upcoming project, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, there’s a catch: candidates must hold a subscription to X (formerly Twitter) to apply. The hiring announcement follows their appointment by President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead what is being termed as the “Manhattan Project of our time,” aimed at overhauling the $6.5 trillion federal government.
The DOGE department, which now has its official handle on X, made the announcement about the recruitment process via a social media post. The department stated its goal of building a team focused on cost-cutting and reducing government inefficiencies.
To apply for a position at DOGE, candidates need to meet an unusual requirement: they must subscribe to X’s premium service. A verified account, which costs $84 annually, is necessary to send direct messages to the DOGE handle and submit a resume.
“We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE,” read the statement on X. “We don’t need more part-time idea generators. If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”
The department has not specified any particular qualifications or experience for the role but emphasized its need for “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries” ready to work long hours.
In a separate post, Elon Musk added more details about the expectations for DOGE roles, stating that the work would be “tedious,” involve “making lots of enemies,” and, notably, offer zero compensation. Musk’s blunt message concluded with the remark: “What a great deal.”
While the recruitment announcement has generated considerable interest, several key aspects remain unclear. Neither the salary structure nor the department’s funding sources have been disclosed, adding an air of mystery to the unconventional hiring process.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s appointment by Trump to lead the DOGE initiative reflects a bold vision to reshape the U.S. government. According to Trump’s statement, the department aims to “dismantle bureaucratic waste” and streamline federal operations. The initiative is being framed as an unprecedented project, comparable to the Manhattan Project that developed nuclear weapons during World War II.
As the hiring process unfolds, the unusual prerequisites and the challenging nature of the work have already made headlines, with observers curious about the kind of candidates who will step forward to join Musk and Ramaswamy’s ambitious new venture. The recruitment drive marks a new chapter in the tech-driven approach to governance reform, spearheaded by two of the most high-profile figures in business and politics today.
