Trump Appoints Airbnb Co-Founder Joe Gebbia to Overhaul Government Digital Services

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, to lead a new team focused on transforming the government's digital services. This move aligns with Trump's objective to increase efficiency within federal agencies and was formalized through an executive order that established the National Design Studio, dedicated to enhancing the usability and visual appeal of federal digital platforms. As chief design officer, Gebbia will be under the direct supervision of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Since taking office, Trump has undertaken a significant overhaul of the federal machinery, and Gebbia, who joined the administration earlier this year, is set to play a pivotal role in this ongoing transformation. Initially, billionaire Elon Musk, who previously advised Trump, spearheaded a project aimed at enhancing governmental efficiency by reducing the workforce, closing departments, and reallocating funds to push political agendas.

Former President Joe Biden also aimed to simplify government websites to improve user experience, reflecting a common goal across administrations. However, Trump's administration paused several related initiatives, such as a free tax filing tool from the IRS, which was ultimately discontinued under the guidance of former Commissioner Billy Long.

The National Design Studio, as detailed in the executive order, is slated to operate for a duration of three years. It is tasked with providing guidance to federal agencies on minimizing redundant design expenditures and implementing standardized designs across the digital platforms that facilitate public interaction with government services.