Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, has been appointed as the new Chief Design Officer of the United States, becoming the latest prominent tech figure to join the administration of President Donald Trump. The 44-year-old entrepreneur made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), stating his ambition to modernize the government’s digital services through a design-driven approach.
“My mission is to update public services so they are as delightful to use as the Apple Store: well-designed, offering a great user experience, and based on modern software,” he wrote on X.
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A New Phase of Digital Transformation
Gebbia’s appointment follows a broader effort by the Trump administration to engage leading tech minds in reshaping government operations. His role as Chief Design Officer is closely linked to the newly launched National Design Studio, a team tasked with reimagining the digital interfaces that citizens use daily.
“I will do my best to make the United States the most beautiful and user-friendly country in the digital world,” Gebbia added. He also invited interested professionals to join the initiative, positioning the studio as an open, collaborative space for civic design.
The move comes shortly after the departure of Elon Musk, who had been leading the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) until late May. Musk’s exit reportedly stemmed from a disagreement with Trump over the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a budgetary proposal heavily promoted by the president. Musk, who had at one point floated the idea of launching his own political party, appears to have suspended those plans for the time being.
Growing Tech Influence in Washington
With Gebbia stepping into a formal government role, the White House continues to deepen its ties with Silicon Valley. This trend reflects an ongoing belief in the power of private-sector innovation to improve public infrastructure.
Gebbia’s vision of making government services “delightful to use” aligns with recent efforts to enhance federal digital platforms, emphasizing usability, responsiveness, and citizen engagement. As Washington increasingly relies on tech entrepreneurs for leadership in digital transformation, Gebbia’s track record in user-centered design will be closely watched in the months ahead.
