DOGE has an official ‘acting’ administrator, and it’s not Elon Musk, White House confirms | TechCrunch

Amy Gleason has been named as the acting administrator of DOGE, the ostensible head of the Trump administration team of Elon Musk advisors and associates known as the Department of Government Efficiency, TechCrunch has confirmed.

The news, first reported by Semafor, is the first time the White House has confirmed who is overseeing the team of government cost-cutters. The White House previously said Musk was not officially leading DOGE, leaving the role of the team’s administrator ambiguous. Musk is a White House employee and a senior advisor to the president.

The White House confirmed to TechCrunch that Gleason is DOGE’s acting administrator. A spokesperson would not provide more information about why Gleason was picked for the role. 

Musk may not be the official head of DOGE, but his actions along with public statements from the White House suggest Musk is deeply involved in the construction and operation of DOGE and has the open support of President Trump.

According to her LinkedIn profile, seen by TechCrunch, Gleason started at the U.S. Digital Service in January 2025 where her role is listed as “senior advisor.” Gleason previously served as a consultant and worked in the private sector, including as chief product officer at Russell Street Ventures between December 2021 and November 2024. Gleason also listed an earlier position as a digital services expert at the U.S. Digital Service between October 2018 and December 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile.

DOGE was established under an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, renaming the U.S. Digital Service to DOGE and appointing teams of “special government employees” across federal agencies. 

Per the executive order, as acting administrator, Gleason reports to the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

Since establishing DOGE, Musk’s associates — many of whom come from or have links to Musk’s private businesses — have gained wide access to government systems and sensitive datasets, including the personal information of millions of Americans.

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