Elon Musk, DOGE, and Venice’s Legacy: A New Era in Government Efficiency

The irony of Elon Musk accepting the position of head of President Trump’s newly planned Department of Government Efficiency has been lost on many. Of note, is the fact that the acronym for this new government department is DOGE.

Now, if you are familiar with the history of Italy, you already know that Venice, Italy was, at one time, an enormously wealthy city. This was due to its silk and spice trade routes between Middle East, Asia and Europe and its powerful financial institutions. Venice’s location in a lagoon, between the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, and its superior naval power, assured its success for more than 1000 years.

At its peak, from 697 AD to 1797 AD, Venice’s most powerful magistrate was called Doge. He was an important figurehead who was chosen from one of the 25 families, of urban nobility, in Venice. He represented the power and prestige of the city to the world, but everyone else did the actual work. He was the rallying point. His position was primarily ceremonial. And as such, the Doge wore gold clothing, gold shoes and a uniquely designed gold hat, called a corno ducale, which was the symbol of the Doge.

The Doge was revered and respected by his people and was appointed by a grateful city for his successful career in either maritime commerce and/or banking. He was well-known among his peers, regarded as an expert in his field and was sought out, by both foreign and domestic authorities, for his sage advice.

So, until you make the connection between Elon Musk as DOGE, and the Doge of the Middle Ages, his appointment by President Trump seems predicable. Musk is a very successful businessman and his expertise is well-regarded. But, once you see the literal connection between the reasons for the reverence shown to the Doge of old, and Elon Musk’s life, the appointment becomes visionary. Therefore, there is no doubt of Musk’s success in this new role. He IS Doge.