"Fraudulent Impersonation”: Musk Questioned Over 'Official' DOGE X Page Before Trump Takes Office
California, US: It appears that Elon Musk has already started his work as a Trump cabinet member, even before the President-elect officially takes up the White House. Donald Trump picked Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new wing proposed by the billionaire.
The acronym DOGE resonates with the dog-themed cryptocurrency that Musk has hyped for years on social media. Now, there is a page on X with a grey checkmark. The page was named @DOGE—Department of Government Efficiency. The first post on the social media account is a reposting of Musk’s message on X announcing the creation of DOGE.
Reportedly, the account only accepts resumes via DMs, which are solely open to verified X users who pay Elon Musk.
Also Read: Trump Offers Top Roles For Elon Musk In His Cabinet
The first post of the page was Trump announcing Musk and Ramaswamy to lead the department. The next post read, “Working overtime to ensure your tax dollars will be spent wisely.”
Earlier today, the page also shared a post saying that “We don’t need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants”.
We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE. We don’t need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If that’s…
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) November 14, 2024
The grey check mark is only given to government or multilateral organization accounts.
Netizens point out that to have an official social media account before the government is even formed is another level of corruption and can be perceived as a “fraudulent impersonation violating FTC rules.”
Another user, whose bio read ‘Former Attorney,’ said that the account cannot ever be an official department until the Congress authorizes it as official. The user asked Musk for an explanation for such a move.
It cannot be official until Trump takes office. Moreover, it can’t ever be an official Department until Congress authorizes it at such. @elonmusk – can you explain why it received a gray checkmark?
— Tirah Att (@TirahAtt) November 14, 2024
Another X user pointed out that no department can be official unless it has been voted on by the Congress, as per the country’s constitution.
Also Read: Who And Who’s In Donald Trump’s Cabinet
After choosing Musk and Ramaswamy, Trump said, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement. I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans.”
