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Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has proposed applying a “Twitter model” to enhance the U.S. economy by increasing efficiency with fewer resources. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk suggested that transitioning workers from low-productivity government roles to high-productivity positions in manufacturing and industry is essential for improving Americans’ standard of living.
Musk highlighted Twitter’s transformation under his leadership—introducing new features while operating with a reduced workforce—as an example of efficiency-driven growth. He stated, “Twitter added far more features with fewer people.” He emphasized the importance of reallocating labor to sectors like manufacturing, noting, “What really matters for improving Americans’ standard of living is shifting people from low productivity jobs in government to high productivity jobs in industry. Many more people are needed in manufacturing!”
Twitter added far more features with fewer people.
What really matters for improving American’s standard of living is shifting people from low productivity jobs in government to high productivity jobs in industry.
Many more people needed in manufacturing! https://t.co/R7QBHKE1db
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 24, 2025
This isn’t the first instance where Musk has drawn parallels between his corporate strategies and potential governmental reforms. Previously, he referenced advancements in SpaceX’s Raptor engines to suggest how the U.S. government could enhance spending efficiency.
Musk’s comments come in the context of his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new entity established under the second Donald Trump administration aimed at reducing federal spending. He has indicated that federal employees will have opportunities to justify their roles or risk termination, reflecting his commitment to streamlining government operations.
These proposals have sparked discussions about the feasibility and implications of adopting private-sector efficiency models within public-sector operations.
