Steve Davis and Doge: Who's Really in Charge?

Steve Davis's Continued Influence at DOGE

Despite formally concluding his service with the U.S. government in May, Steve Davis – a former key advisor to Elon Musk while at the Department of Government Efficiency – reportedly maintains a significant degree of influence within DOGE. This information comes from a recent report by the Wall Street Journal.

The WSJ indicates that Davis, a long-standing associate of Musk, consistently provides guidance to present DOGE personnel.

Furthermore, he has reportedly characterized his official departure as misinformation, dismissing it as “fake news” in private conversations.

Inquiries and Background

Earlier on Wednesday, TechCrunch contacted The Boring Company, the tunneling venture led by Musk, seeking a statement regarding Davis’s current role. Davis currently holds the position of president at The Boring Company.

Extent of Engagement

This covert participation implies that Davis – known for his extreme cost-consciousness, having authorized expenditures as small as a few hundred dollars – remains deeply involved.

His dedication to Musk is also noteworthy, as reports suggest he resided in X’s offices alongside his wife and newborn child following Musk’s acquisition of the social media platform.

Internal Conflicts and Future Plans

The Journal notes that Davis’s influence has generated internal discord, particularly in light of Musk’s reduced involvement and his ongoing disagreements with President Trump.

Staff members are allegedly subjected to assessments of their allegiance, forced to navigate a divide between support for Trump and Musk during departmental discussions.

This occurs as the department defends itself against White House initiatives aimed at curtailing its authority.

DOGE 2.0 and Potential Concerns

According to current and former officials, allies of Musk are aiming to establish “DOGE 2.0.”

The proposed focus of this initiative is the modernization of government IT systems, rather than workforce reductions.

However, critics contend that the team’s continued involvement primarily serves to advance the commercial interests of Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, and X.

These concerns highlight a potential conflict of interest within the department’s operations.