logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
17m 29s

DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Governmen...

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL & GIMLET
About this episode

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed radically downsizing the federal government, and two of his allies are going to be in charge: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. WSJ’s John McCormick walks us through the plans for DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency.


Further Reading:

- Musk, Ramaswamy Want Federal Workers in the Office Full Time. There’s a Hitch. 

- Vivek Ramaswamy’s Marching Orders: Cut Trillions for Trump 


Further Listening:

- Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations 

- The Scramble Is on to Fill Trump’s Cabinet 


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Jul 14
Why Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Went Rogue
Last week, Grok went rogue. The AI chatbot – which users can interact with on X – posted antisemitic comments and graphic descriptions of violence before being deactivated, leaving users with a question: Where were Grok’s guardrails? WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy breaks down what happen ... Show More
22m 52s
Jul 11
Can Superman Save Warner?
The man of steel is back in a new $225 million reboot. Riding on this weekend’s release is the hope that DC Studios will finally begin to match the past successes of its archrival Marvel. Its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery views DC Studios as critical to its success or fai ... Show More
22m 36s
Jul 10
Who Will Be the Next Fed Chair? Maybe Kevin
For years, President Trump has feuded with the Federal Reserve and Chair Jerome Powell over interest rates. And now, two Republicans named Kevin (Kevin Hassett, one of Trump’s closest economic advisers and Kevin Warsh—a former Fed governor) are vying to be the next chairman of th ... Show More
22m 47s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 10
A Look Back At The Early Stages Of DOGE
Before President Trump and Elon Musk publicly cut ties last week, they were closely working together to identify government waste. The President even tapped Musk to lead the charge, appointing him as head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. Months later, Musk ... Show More
28m 45s
Dec 2024
Trump and Elon: Children in Charge
We are entering a new chapter where the children are taking the wheel. In this episode Rick speaks with journalist and author David Corn to discuss the chaotic implications of a Trump administration return, the rise of figures like Elon Musk and RFK Jr., and the dangerous erosion ... Show More
29m 36s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk Runs DOGE With His CEO Playbook
It’s been roughly four weeks since Elon Musk took the helm of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which was tasked with slashing government spending. And a lot has happened since. WSJ columnist Tim Higgins joins host Julie Chang to discuss the late ... Show More
13m 59s
Feb 2025
Musk’s Plans to Take a Chain Saw to Bureaucracy
The head of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE ,says he is bringing a tech upgrade to the federal government. WSJ columnist Tim Higgins joins us for an update on Elon Musk’s first 100 days in the Trump White House. Plus, Google changed its rules around how product-r ... Show More
12m 40s
Nov 2024
What a Trump Presidency Means for Elon Musk
Elon Musk spent more than $100 million to get Donald Trump back to the White House. WSJ reporter Emily Glazer tells host Cordilia James what Trump’s presidency could mean for Musk and the future of his businesses. Plus, quick steps you can take to secure your most important accou ... Show More
14m 6s
Feb 2025
Meet Elon Musk’s Right-Hand Man Cutting Costs at DOGE
P.M. Edition for Feb. 10. After Elon Musk took over Twitter, one of his deputies, Steve Davis, adopted a move-fast-and-break-things approach to make the company more efficient. WSJ White House economics reporter Brian Schwartz tells us how Davis, now working at Musk’s Department ... Show More
13 m
Jun 11
Elon and Trump need space
Vox’s Joshua Keating explains why the US government can’t have a big, beautiful breakup with Elon Musk. And now that he’s left DOGE, Elaine Kamarck from Brookings explains what happens to it. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Amina ... Show More
29m 32s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk's DOGE Takes Control Of Federal Spending
Elon Musk is keeping his campaign promise of trying to cut $2 trillion of federal spending through his unit, DOGE. After some questions about his role, the White House announced that he is now a "special government employee." What has Musk been able to accomplish thus far? This e ... Show More
15m 3s