Former DOGE staffers launch private equity firm "Special" backed by Musk allies
By
Ana-Maria Stanciuc
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial government cost-cutting initiative backed by Elon Musk allies, has been shut down after a year marked by controversy and unconfirmed savings. Two former staffers have launched a new private-sector firm called "Special," which aims to buy companies outright and use AI to cut costs — essentially taking the DOGE approach into the private sector. The venture is backed by a roster of Elon Musk allies, signaling continued interest in the efficiency-focused playbook outside of government.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThe Department of Government Efficiency is gone, quietly wound down after a year that produced more controversy than confirmed savings.
Two of its former staffers have decided the idea was sound and the venue was wrong.
Special, a firm that intends to buy companies outright and cut their costs by running artificial intelligence through them, taking the DOGE playbook into the private sector where the spreadsheet, at least, is real.
Special raised from a roster of Elon Musk allies, according to Bloomberg
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