In the Trump 2.0 administration, Elon Musk initially took the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new entity tasked with overhauling the federal government. For the first 100 days, Musk wielded sweeping reforms, aggressively restructuring the bureaucracy. However, it seems he has now judged that it’s “time to step back,” as his involvement in the administration has diminished. He is once again focusing his attention on managing his core businesses—Tesla and SpaceX.
DOGE was originally established as a temporary and irregular agency, with a mission to be completed by July 4, next year—the 250th anniversary of American independence. However, Musk’s radical and fast-paced approach drew fierce backlash not only from the laid-off federal employees but also from the general public and the international community. In some cases, this discontent escalated to acts of vandalism and arson targeting Tesla facilities.
President Trump, concerned that the anti-Musk sentiment could spill over into an anti-Trump movement, appears to have taken early action to prevent further fallout.
As for Musk’s latest developments, the spotlight is now on Starbase—SpaceX’s rocket launch facility near the Mexico border in Texas. Following a recent local referendum, Starbase has officially been approved as a newly recognized municipality.
Musk has long envisioned Starbase as the central hub for his ambition to expand humanity across the solar system. The first major step toward this goal is to establish a human presence on Mars using the massive spacecraft known as Starship. But before that, SpaceX plans to send astronauts to the Moon within the next few years as part of NASA’s Artemis program.
Development at Starbase is ongoing, not only for rocket infrastructure and the “Starfactory” manufacturing facility but also for roads, housing, accommodations, and basic infrastructure to support both employees and tourists. It will be fascinating to watch how Starbase evolves into a gateway to space—whether to the Moon, Mars, or beyond.
To conclude, here’s a promotional video of Starbase released by SpaceX. It offers a vivid glimpse into the scale and vision behind the project.
Related Video: Life at Starbase by SpaceX