Incoming US president Donald Trump has named tech billionaire Elon Musk to a senior role aimed at cutting government spending.

Trump announced the appointment of the “great” Elon Musk on Tuesday (local time) via his Truth Social platform.

Musk and another tech entrepreneur, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in Trump’s second White House.

“Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies,” Trump said.

Trump announced the appointment on Tuesday. Image: Truth Social

The new department “will provide advice and guidance from outside of government”, signalling the entity would operate outside the confines of government.

However, it would work with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach” to government never seen before.

Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy’s work would conclude by July 4, 2026, making it a “gift” to the US on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In Trump’s statement, Musk said DOGE – which shares its initials with a cyber currency he has promoted – will “send shockwaves through the system and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!”.

Musk also reacted publicly to the announcement through his X platform

“Threat to democracy?” he wrote.

“Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”

Ramaswamy also responded via X with a slogan he often used during his presidential campaign to call for the elimination of federal agencies, writing: “SHUT IT DOWN.”

Threat to democracy?

Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024

In another Trump appointment announced on Tuesday, Fox News host Pete Hegseth will become US secretary of defence.

“Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” Trump said.

“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” he added.

Hegseth is an Army National Guard veteran and according to his website served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said he was nominating former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.

A former Republican congressman from Texas, Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence for the 18 months of Trump’s first term, leading the US government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said.

“He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

Trump also said he would nominate former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel and long-time friend Steven Witkoff as a special envoy to the Middle East.

Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel, and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align US foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Witkoff is a Florida real estate investor who is heading Trump’s inaugural committee. He also spent time in the world of New York real estate, where Trump first made his mark as a public figure.

Trump earlier on Tuesday picked Republican representative and former Army Green Beret Mike Waltz as his national security adviser.

Trump also named Bill McGinley, his cabinet secretary in his first administration, as his White House counsel.

Trump is rolling out a steady stream of appointees and nominees for his upcoming administration, working at a faster pace and without as much drama as his first transition following his 2016 victory.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said.

“He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”

Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.

David Friedman, who was Trump’s ambassador to Israel in his first term, said he was “thrilled” by the selection of Huckabee.

Witkoff is also the president-elect’s golf partner and was with him when he was the target of a second assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September.

Trump is expected to return to public view on Wednesday, when he goes to the White House to meet President Joe Biden and visit the Capitol to consult House Speaker Mike Johnson.

-with AAP