Trump’s Plan with Musk and Ramaswamy Sparks Fears of Federal Government ‘Enshittification’

Tech billionaires have caused considerable damage to many aspects of the economy, and now, President-elect Donald Trump seems to be handing them the reins to similarly dismantle the government, according to Jason Linkins in The New Republic.

This comes amid growing criticism of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as their “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative takes shape. The plan proposes slashing government services and purging the federal workforce. Additionally, reports suggest that Trump is considering privatizing the U.S. Postal Service, an essential service that is guaranteed by the Constitution.

Linkins argues that this move is another example of what is known as “enshittification” — a term coined by Cory Doctorow and defined by the Macquarie Dictionary as “the gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform, and as a consequence of profit-seeking.”

He writes, “What Trump promises to do to the venerable post office would be the latest example of what has come to be known as ‘enshittification.’” Linkins adds that it is fitting that Trump is teaming up with Musk and Ramaswamy for this next “big enshittification project” aimed at ruining the federal government.

While many may perceive the federal bureaucracy as sluggish, Linkins stresses that the civil service is actually a “hive of innovation,” driven by hardworking Americans who perform critical functions, from scientific research to keeping food and medicine safe.

Despite this, Trump sees the government as an entity working against him and is poised, with Musk and Ramaswamy’s help, to overhaul it, replacing a dedicated workforce with loyalists. As a result, the services that Americans rely on could face significant setbacks.

Linkins warns that this transformation will have far-reaching consequences. He highlights potential dangers such as the loss of protections from financial predators, the gutting of health care, and a federal government left powerless to manage societal challenges.

“The next few years are going to come with a substantial body count,” Linkins writes, referring to the consequences of a weakened federal government.

In conclusion, Linkins suggests that by dismantling the administrative state, we may risk not just dysfunction but instability, adding, “It helps keep the peace,” particularly in a country with a heavily armed and discontented populace.