USA 
United Kingdom
Elon Musk has called for significant cuts to federal agencies and even for the elimination of entire government departments as part of his “efficiency drive”.
Speaking via video call at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Musk outlined what he described as the goals of the Trump administration, while also discussing the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and the risk of "thermonuclear warfare."
“We really have here rule of the bureaucracy as opposed to rule of the people - democracy,” Musk said.
Musk argued for more aggressive action in restructuring federal agencies, stating, ““I think we do need to delete entire agencies as opposed to leave a lot of them behind. If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back.”
He said that merely reducing the size of some agencies wouldn’t be sufficient.
Influence on Government policy
Since taking leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency with Trump’s endorsement, Musk has gained substantial influence within the federal government. His role has allowed him access to sensitive databases, oversight and influence over career officials, and has sparked debates over presidential authority limits.
His newfound political power lends additional weight to statements beyond his status as the world’s wealthiest person.
He cited Trump’s much criticised dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and questioned the effectiveness of agencies like the National Endowment for Democracy. “How much democracy have they achieved lately?”, he asked.
Musk added that the US under Trump, is “less interested in interfering with the affairs of other countries,” a sentiment that resonated with his audience in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms. “Basically, America should mind its own business, rather than push for regime change all over the place,” he stated.
Artificial Intelligence and domestic policy
He also addressed the administration’s focus on cutting DEI initiatives, linking the issue to artificial intelligence. He suggested, rather hyperbollically that AI designed to prioritize DEI could lead to unintended consequences, saying: “If hypothetically, AI is designed for DEI, you know, diversity at all costs, it could decide that there’s too many men in power and execute them.”
Musk’s remarks signal that there will be further upheaval within a Federal sector which has seen the departure of 75,000 employees who have taken up the “Fork in the Road” offer of redundancy in September.
With Musk now threatening to cancel whole departments the challenge for HR departments is certain to intensify.
