Elon Musk’s Doge team targets National Gallery of Art in cost-cutting push

Proceeding from a latest article, FT explores that Elon Musk's cost-cutting team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has turned its attention to the US National Gallery of Art, marking a new phase in its efforts to reduce federal agency budgets.

Doge representatives visited the prestigious Washington DC institution, meeting with the museum's leadership despite its independent operation from the White House.

The exact intentions behind Doge's visit remain unclear, and a representative for the initiative declined to comment. However, the move comes amid the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against US cultural institutions, which it describes as part of its fight against “woke” ideology. Last month, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which criticised the Smithsonian Institution’s handling of race and gender depictions.

In addition, Trump has taken control of the Kennedy Centre, Washington DC’s largest performing arts venue, vowing to ban “anti-American propaganda,” including drag shows, which sparked significant backlash from artists and performers.

The National Gallery has so far avoided similar scrutiny, with several members of Trump’s cabinet celebrating his inauguration at the venue earlier this year. Founded in 1937 following substantial donations from Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, the gallery is governed by a board composed of key US figures, including the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Treasury Secretary.

While the National Gallery’s funding largely comes from the federal budget, which Doge has pledged to cut by $1 trillion, it received nearly $210 million last year, allowing it to cover staff salaries and maintain free public access.

In response to Doge’s visit, the National Gallery reiterated its status as an independent trust, emphasising its commitment to collaborating with all administrations while continuing its mission to preserve and share artistic excellence with Americans.

By Naila Huseynova