Trump’s Big Plans: Radical Overhauls, RFK Jr., And Elon Musk’s Vision For Federal Reform

Throughout his presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump has attempted to keep his distance from Project 2025—a strategic plan crafted by conservative activists for his potential second term. While it’s uncertain whether Trump and his allies will adopt parts of this controversial blueprint if he wins the 2024 election, the former president has proposed his own bold, if not radical, restructuring plan. 

Trump’s vision includes giving free rein to figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to revamp the nation’s health and safety systems, and potentially handing Elon Musk the task of reimagining the federal workforce. Here’s a closer look at what Trump and his team say they aim to accomplish if they return to the White House.

Going “Wild” On Health Policy With RFK Jr.

Trump has hinted at empowering Kennedy to reshape the nation’s health policies dramatically. At a recent rally in Madison Square Garden, he stated, “I’m going to let [Kennedy] go wild on food and medicine,” suggesting Kennedy could be pivotal in transforming America’s public health landscape.

Kennedy’s agenda, titled “Make America Healthy Again,” advocates for regenerative agriculture, preservation of natural habitats, and the removal of toxins from food and water. However, these broad goals lack specific implementation details, and Kennedy’s controversial past adds further complexity. Known for comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany and making unfounded claims about chemicals affecting children’s sexuality, Kennedy’s approach to health policy has raised concerns among experts and the public alike.

Leaked video footage obtained by CNN shows Kennedy detailing Trump’s promise to give him sweeping authority over health-related agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, FDA, and USDA. However, it remains unclear if Trump’s vision aligns with Kennedy’s ambitious agenda or whether such a role would pass Senate confirmation.

Musk’s Vision: “Starting From Scratch” With Federal Bureaucracy

Meanwhile, tech mogul Elon Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, has proposed a dramatic downsizing of the federal government. Musk has expressed a desire to “start from scratch” with federal operations, advocating for a major reduction in federal spending through AI-powered evaluations and the removal of what he deems “wasteful” government positions.

Musk’s financial ties to government contracts through SpaceX and Starlink could complicate such a role due to potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, critics like former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers argue that Musk’s projected $2 trillion in savings is unrealistic since only a fraction of the federal budget is allocated to payroll. Instead, deep cuts would likely require targeting programs like Social Security and Medicare, which Trump has promised not to touch.

Health Care Overhaul And “No Obamacare”

In a recent rally, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a strong Trump ally, indicated that a Republican-led Congress under Trump would attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. However, repealing or significantly altering the ACA faces substantial obstacles, as any such move would require bipartisan support in the Senate.

The Challenge Of Implementing Drastic Change

Even with Trump’s ambitious promises to figures like Kennedy and Musk, reshaping federal systems is no small feat. The U.S. government’s structure makes such sweeping reforms challenging to achieve, requiring congressional cooperation and, in some cases, Senate confirmation. While Trump and his allies may seek to bypass these hurdles, many details of their plans remain vague.

For now, these proposals represent a vision rather than a detailed agenda—one that may face significant political and practical obstacles if it’s ever to become a reality.