The Musk Deputy Running DOGE’s Huge Cost-Cutting Drive
WASHINGTON—When Elon Musk took over Twitter in 2022, one of his key executives was so intent on reducing costs that a former employee recalled him questioning janitorial expenses at an Atlanta data center. That executive was Steve Davis, a leader at Musk’s Boring Co., who aggressively slashed expenditures, pressured vendors, and swiftly restructured Twitter’s workforce, former employees reported. His rapid and disruptive approach led to confusion and turmoil within the company. Now, the cost-cutting strategies that reshaped Twitter are being applied to the federal government, where Davis is overseeing Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Federal agencies across Washington are experiencing anxiety as Musk follows through on President Trump’s campaign promise to reduce government spending. Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Ed Martin, expressed support for Musk and Davis in a letter posted on X, stating, “If people have broken the law or acted unethicall...