Musk’s Twitter as a Model for a Potential MAGA-Led Government

In a recent interview, former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy highlighted a vision for a streamlined federal workforce that resonated with Musk’s approach at Twitter. Speaking with Ezra Klein, Ramaswamy suggested that, if Trump were reelected, up to 75% of federal employees could be let go under a revived Schedule F executive order, with Elon Musk potentially overseeing these reductions. For Ramaswamy, Musk’s drastic staffing cuts at Twitter serve as a model, demonstrating a method for “thinning down bureaucracy” within government operations.

Musk’s overhaul of Twitter, particularly his initial firing of 80% of staff, including key departments focused on trust and safety, sparked intense reactions. Critics feared the platform’s functionality might collapse, especially during significant events, though it has largely continued to operate. Financially, however, Twitter—now rebranded as “X”—has struggled. Under Musk’s leadership, advertising revenue dropped 40% shortly after the acquisition, and recent estimates indicate a steep decline in the platform’s value.

Yet, the MAGA movement appears undeterred by these issues, viewing Musk’s control over the platform as a strategic advantage. For conservative figures, Musk’s transformation of Twitter aligns with their goal of “draining the swamp,” creating a communications platform that amplifies right-wing narratives, regardless of the fallout. The platform has also faced criticism for its role in spreading unverified claims and, at times, restricting certain voices. Still, Musk’s apparent alignment with MAGA priorities has earned him praise, despite complaints from the right in previous years that tech companies were biased against conservatives.

This Musk-inspired vision for federal government aligns with elements of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s extensive policy proposal for a future conservative-led administration. Project 2025 suggests sweeping reforms, from dissolving federal departments to scaling back entitlement programs and replacing career officials with political appointees. If implemented, Trump’s next term could transform key bureaucratic structures, similar to Musk’s reshaping of Twitter, placing power into the hands of those aligned with his administration’s ideological aims.

Before acquiring Twitter, Musk spoke of running the platform neutrally, though his actions since have consistently served conservative interests. Trump, meanwhile, has openly embraced plans to transform the presidency to serve his own agenda, with Musk’s approach providing a likely model. This reflects what New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie describes as Trump’s intent to shape the presidency into a personal tool, a strategy Musk’s tenure at Twitter has shown to be both feasible and impactful.