Even if nothing more concrete emerges from the bluster surrounding DOGE, the initiative is at least giving Musk a very expensive seat in Trump’s White House. He won’t be there as a government official or agency chief, but acting in the capacity of a corporate executive who is there to fire people. That at least, won’t be new.

Just days after being tapped to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk is searching for “high-IQ” individuals willing to work long hours to join the taskforce. But the job may not come with a paycheck.