Elon Musk has recruited a group of six young men, most with little to no government experience, to help restructure America’s foreign aid agency.
The billionaire, recently appointed as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump, has tasked them with cutting costs and streamlining operations.
A Team of Young Tech Minds
The group, ranging in age from 19 to 25, includes college students and engineers with backgrounds in artificial intelligence, investment trading, and software development. Among them is Edward Coristine, the youngest at just 19, whose exact role remains unclear.
Others include Akash Bobba, Ethan Shaotran, Luke Farritor, and Gavin Kliger, some of whom have been granted top-level security clearance, allowing them access to restricted government data and systems.
Expanding Influence in Washington
Under Musk’s leadership, the department has gained access to sensitive government systems, including those storing Social Security numbers and personal data. Some of his recruits have already made a name for themselves in tech, such as Luke Farritor, who gained recognition for using artificial intelligence to decipher an ancient scroll, and Ethan Shaotran, who received a grant from OpenAI for his startup.
Controversial Moves at USAID
One of the first major actions came when Gavin Kliger reportedly sent an email instructing all employees at the foreign aid agency not to return to headquarters, mirroring Musk’s previous actions at Twitter. Hundreds of employees were locked out of their work systems following the directive. The disruption led to the resignation of Matt Hopson, who had just been appointed as the agency’s chief of staff.
Trump Backs Musk’s Overhaul
Trump defended the changes, stating that the agency had been mismanaged and needed immediate restructuring. The agency oversees approximately seventy billion dollars in foreign aid, including funding for health programs and humanitarian efforts. Despite backlash, Musk stood by his team, emphasizing that they were some of the best minds in software engineering.
Musk’s Expanding Role in Government
Although Musk does not hold elected office, he has been formally appointed as a special government employee by the White House. His growing influence in the administration has raised questions about the future direction of federal agencies, as his department takes on an increasing role in government efficiency efforts.
