Elon Musk News Live: Elon Musk discusses government efficiency concept with House Republicans on Capitol Hill

Elon Musk, in his capacity as senior advisor to President Donald Trump and de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently engaged with House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to discuss the DOGE initiative, as per a report in Reuters. The discussions focused on the conceptual proposal for DOGE, which aims to improve government efficiency and reduce bureaucracy, aligning with House Republicans' objectives and Musk's previously stated views on regulation. This meeting is part of Musk's broader engagement in policy discussions following his appointment to head DOGE in January 2025.

Elon Musk held a meeting with House Republicans in Washington, D.C., within the past seven days to discuss a "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)"; the term DOGE is understood to be a reference to Dogecoin, frequently associated with Musk, rather than a formal proposal for a new government agency, as per a report in Reuters. This engagement is consistent with Musk's significantly increased political activity observed over the past couple of years, which included (as a past event) a reported meeting in early June 2024 with former President Donald Trump. The current discussion with House Republicans suggests their interest in incorporating perspectives from figures like Musk into potential government reform and efficiency measures, further highlighting Musk's growing influence on U.S. policy discussions.

Elon Musk, in his current roles as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is the subject of prominent news coverage focusing on critical developments across his enterprises and his political stance, as per a report in WSJ. In the week ending May 26, 2025, discussions have intensified around Tesla's evolving strategy, which includes a potential de-emphasis of the long-promised 'Model 2' in favor of robotaxis and AI, a direction shaped by significant past layoffs (reportedly over 10% globally). SpaceX's Starship program continues to be a major headline, with ongoing rapid development and testing reportedly achieving new milestones vital for future missions. Simultaneously, X (formerly Twitter) is still reported to be addressing challenges in advertising revenue, content moderation policies, and user engagement as Musk attempts its transformation. Musk's increasing political engagement, notably reported meetings and discussions with former President Donald Trump concerning the upcoming US election, also constitutes a significant and currently unfolding news thread.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and is the owner of X, recently met with House Republicans in Washington, DC, to discuss a proposed or conceptual 'Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)', as per a report in Google News. It is important to note that the 'Department of Government Efficiency' is not an existing U.S. federal department. The acronym 'DOGE' is widely recognized as the ticker symbol for Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency Musk has frequently and publicly supported in the past. This meeting and the unusual nomenclature for the discussed entity have raised concerns about potential public and media misinterpretation, possibly diverting focus from substantive policy discussions to the acronym's association with the cryptocurrency.

Tesla has, for the first time since the vehicle's launch, permitted Cybertruck owners to trade in their vehicles, but early indications suggest they will incur a significant financial loss, as per a report in TechCrunch. This development, occurring within the past week, contrasts with past instances in late 2023 and early 2024 when some Cybertrucks were resold at a premium. Current reports indicate depreciation rates can reach up to 45%, a figure CarGurus recently showed represents the maximum observed loss for specific configurations, not a universal average. This situation follows ongoing increases in Cybertruck production throughout 2024 and recent reports from May 2024 concerning potential issues with the vehicle, which may be impacting its resale value.

Italian state-owned rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane SpA has indicated it might explore testing Starlink, the satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX where Elon Musk serves as CEO, for potential future projects, as per a report in Bloomberg. This consideration by the Italian railway operator, currently in an exploratory stage, could open a significant new market segment for Starlink if a test proceeds and proves successful. Such an evaluation would allow Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane to assess the technology's viability for applications such as providing reliable connectivity in tunnels and remote railway sections, enhancing operational communications, or offering passenger Wi-Fi where traditional methods are challenging. (Historical context from July 2024 indicates Starlink had already been expanding into enterprise, government, maritime, and aviation sectors).