 "Meet Steve Davis, Elon Musk’s cost-cutting crusader at Doge")
For over two decades, Steve Davis has been one of Elon Musk’s most trusted executives, known for his relentless cost-cutting measures at multiple Musk-led companies, including SpaceX, The Boring Company, and Twitter (now X).
Now, Davis has taken on a new challenge: overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a Musk-driven initiative aimed at reducing government spending.
While Doge is not an official government agency, its influence is already being felt as it delves into government waste across various agencies.
A history of extreme frugality
Davis first started working with Musk in 2003 at SpaceX, shortly after earning a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Stanford University. His ability to solve engineering and financial challenges quickly made him a key player in Musk’s circle.
One notable early example of his cost-cutting acumen was when Musk assigned him to find an alternative to a $120,000 part, reported Bloomberg. Davis successfully found a cheaper replacement for just $3,900, earning a simple but telling response from Musk: “Thanks.”
His reputation for extreme cost-efficiency carried over to his role as the president of The Boring Company. Even though the company has raised around $800 million in capital, Davis is known for meticulously approving expenses as small as a few hundred dollars.
He has also driven tough negotiations with suppliers, ensuring that Boring gets the lowest prices on everything from raw steel and sensors to hose fittings. His go-to advice for staff negotiating deals: “Go back and ask again.”
Twitter (X) takeover: Slashing costs and staff
Davis’ expertise in financial streamlining was put to use in Musk’s high-profile takeover of Twitter in 2022. He played a crucial role in the dramatic reduction of costs and staff, cutting expenditures and renegotiating contracts.
At one point, he scrutinised janitorial costs at a Twitter data centre in Atlanta to identify potential savings. His aggressive approach contributed to what many saw as a chaotic restructuring process but aligned with Musk’s vision of financial discipline.
His commitment to Musk’s mission was so extreme that he, along with his wife and newborn, lived at Twitter’s headquarters for a time, sleeping in makeshift quarters.
Some speculated that he would take over as Twitter’s CEO, but instead, he returned to his role at The Boring Company while taking on responsibilities at Doge.
The role of Doge and its government reach
Doge, Musk’s initiative to curb government waste, has already begun making waves. Under Davis’ leadership, the programme has gained access to various government departments, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Treasury, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Doge staff have even accessed the Treasury’s payment system to look for inefficiencies, a move that has prompted legal challenges. A federal judge in New York recently restricted Doge’s access to the Treasury’s payment system, with further hearings pending.
Davis’ involvement in Doge has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s past regulatory challenges at SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company. Critics argue that Musk’s influence could be used to weaken regulatory bodies that have historically clashed with his businesses.
However, US President Donald Trump, who appointed Musk to lead Doge, has dismissed these concerns, stating that Musk will put the interests of the country first.
Davis’ leadership style: Relentless & unconventional
Davis is known for his unconventional leadership style. At The Boring Company, he regularly schedules meetings as late as 7pm, often participating remotely while eating dinner, reported The New York Post.
He enforces strict deadlines and has been known to send employees on flights between Austin and Las Vegas just to retrieve necessary machine parts rather than waiting for commercial shipping.
His commitment to cost-cutting has occasionally resulted in logistical challenges. In one instance, when a critical machine part was delayed en route to Las Vegas, Davis’ deadline pressure was so intense that The Boring Company paid an employee’s relative to track down the freight truck and get it moving again.
Davis himself has been described as a tireless worker, often seen pacing around his mobile home in Bastrop, Texas, late into the night while on the phone.
Regulatory hurdles & legal scrutiny
Davis’ tenure at The Boring Company has not been without controversy. The company has encountered significant regulatory hurdles, particularly concerning environmental regulations.
One project in Los Angeles was shut down after local residents sued to block its progress.
In Las Vegas, Boring completed a tunnel system connecting a convention centre to two hotels, but the project remains closed to the public due to safety concerns.
Additionally, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company over $100,000 following worker complaints about hazardous conditions, including toxic debris falling from conveyor belts.
From yogurt entrepreneur to Musk’s right-hand man
Davis’ ability to multitask has been a defining trait since his college days. While pursuing a doctorate in economics at George Mason University, he simultaneously worked full-time at SpaceX and ran a frozen yogurt shop in Washington, DC, called Mr. Yogato, reported Bloomberg.
The shop became popular for its quirky promotions, including discounts for customers who sang along to “Mr. Roboto” or challenged Davis in Seinfeld trivia.
His entrepreneurial mindset and relentless energy have made him indispensable to Musk. Alex Tabarrok, one of Davis’ professors at George Mason, was quoted by The New York Post, who recalled, “He had so much energy and was so entrepreneurial. It’s been exciting to see him become one of Elon’s most trusted right-hand men.”
Whether driving down costs at Musk’s private companies or attempting to streamline federal expenditures, Davis has built a career on enforcing frugality with ruthless efficiency.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
