Exploring Mark Cuban's Mission to 'out-Elon' Elon Musk
Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the article description without altering the quotations: The article explores the challenges faced by the protagonist and poses the question: "But can he do it?" It delves into the circumstances and motivations that drive his actions, while examining the potential obstacles he might encounter along the way.
TroibNews 
Billionaire business mogul Mark Cuban is stepping up to address the aftermath of the Department of Government Efficiency.
A long-time critic of Donald Trump, Cuban is soliciting business proposals from both former and current federal employees at the General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House to address technological gaps left by recent federal workforce layoffs, he shared with PMG.
His initiative aims to support new companies that would provide technology skills back to the government—skills that were previously offered by the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) and the GSA's tech-centric unit, 18F, before they faced setbacks due to resignations and mass layoffs.
“I think it’s possible to out-Elon, Elon, because the people he will bring in don’t know what they don’t know,” the billionaire stated in an interview with PMG.
The 18F tech unit focused on modernizing key government technology services, including Login.gov, which serves as the main authentication system for various federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Meanwhile, USDS was responsible for improving recruitment, digital procurement processes, and modernizing government websites.
These offices provided services that government officials, along with Elon Musk, previously identified as essential to expand. However, in late February, 21 USDS staffers opted to resign rather than support Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which had taken over USDS. By March 1, GSA announced the dissolution of 18F after officials deemed it “non-critical,” according to an internal memo.
Cuban envisions a reformed tech enterprise that would operate profitably, a concept that contradicts the federal government’s mission to provide public goods and services. This perspective parallels Musk’s approach, which seeks to treat government like a business.
The viability of such a business model remains uncertain. Federal contracting companies are subject to the whims of federal agencies that dictate when outsourcing and financing are permissible, and high-ranking officials from the Trump administration and GSA have not indicated a desire to revive 18F and USDS. The 18F unit was intended to be self-sustaining through fees charged to federal agencies, but instead, it has experienced a “long-term shortfall of multi millions of dollars,” according to a GSA spokesperson.
“The Trump administration is not interested in what Mark Cuban has to say,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields remarked.
Nonetheless, the projects Cuban is pursuing may be setting their sights years into the future rather than months.
“Never once have we thought it could [go] federal before 2029,” a GSA staff member shared anonymously, providing insight into their discussions with Cuban.
According to a former 18F staffer, the type of firm Cuban is looking to finance would likely need to rely on local and state contracts until a more favorable administration emerges with broader funding opportunities.
Cuban’s plans face potential challenges from Musk and heads of various GSA agencies, who might opt to fill service gaps with loyalists from Silicon Valley instead of former in-house talent. Musk has already populated his U.S. DOGE Service with trusted figures from Tesla and SpaceX, while GSA’s leadership includes Musk supporters such as administrator Stephen Ehikian, a former Salesforce VP, and Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla software engineer leading the agency’s tech division.
“The biggest thing Trump-land values is loyalty. So they will go to that well for technologists,” the GSA staffer noted.
Cuban, however, remains undeterred. “If we can leverage the expertise and eliminate all the extra steps and the friction that had always been there, because that’s how government works, we can be the go-to for fixing the problems they created,” he expressed.
“It depends on the path,” the billionaire added. “In order for it to work, they would have to generate revenue [from] the private sector as well.”
“What I have tried to stress to several who I think have a chance, and may invest in, is that you have to look at this from an Elon point of view,” Cuban commented.
Once agencies recognize the effects of workforce cuts, he speculated, they might seek to restore essential services through affordable contractors, “which means that the expertise and experience 18F alum have needs to be used to be able to be the low cost, high knowledge solution. That is where I think these [newcomers] can thrive.” He did not elaborate on specifics regarding the timing or structure of the company.
A GSA spokesperson did not comment on the agency’s interest in Cuban’s plans, and White House DOGE advisor Katie Miller did not respond to requests for clarification.
These proposals come as DOGE moves forward with workforce and contract reductions to cut spending. The actions have resulted in the abrupt termination of tens of thousands of federal employees and initiated job cuts at private companies that lost federal contracts. Both DOGE and agencies like GSA have indicated that even more substantial reductions in workforce and contracts may be imminent.
Cuban’s recent pitches mark notable progress toward an idea he proposed on March 1, when GSA announced 18F's dissolution. “If you worked for 18F and got fired, group together to start a consulting company,” he suggested on the social media platform Bluesky. “It’s just a matter of time before DOGE needs you to fix the mess they inevitably create. They will have to hire your company as a contractor to fix it. But on your terms.”
“I’m happy to help,” he concluded.
Cuban’s latest endeavor adds another chapter to his ongoing dispute with Musk. Last year, Cuban advocated for former Vice President Kamala Harris, asserting she would effectively support small businesses and enhance the overall economy compared to Trump.
To successfully implement his latest business vision, Cuban must navigate persistent hesitance among some current and former GSA personnel to facilitate a private company’s profit from constructing public services, such as Notify.gov—a project used by agencies to notify the public of government benefits via text messages.
“Does allowing the government to text constituents need to turn a profit for an outside vendor?” questioned the GSA staff member. “I would argue it does not.”
A former 18F employee with insight into discussions with Cuban expressed skepticism: “I don’t see this type of thing making the money someone like Cuban would want, without turning it into a consultancy many of us wouldn’t want to work for.”
Cuban criticized some individuals for lacking an innovative entrepreneurial spirit, suggesting they merely wish to transition into new organizations that offer job security without a pathway to profitability.
“A couple have a real chance to turn into small companies that can leverage their expertise,” he stated.
Meanwhile, some former 18F technologists are exploring “partnerships with existing organizations, other sources of public benefit funding” to pursue non-profit-driven work arrangements, according to an insider.
Ultimately, however, it seems that everyone’s aims align. Cuban remarked of the staffers he has spoken with, ”they are hoping what they are creating will fill a void left by the firing of so many people.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
A long-time critic of Donald Trump, Cuban is soliciting business proposals from both former and current federal employees at the General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House to address technological gaps left by recent federal workforce layoffs, he shared with PMG.
His initiative aims to support new companies that would provide technology skills back to the government—skills that were previously offered by the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) and the GSA's tech-centric unit, 18F, before they faced setbacks due to resignations and mass layoffs.
“I think it’s possible to out-Elon, Elon, because the people he will bring in don’t know what they don’t know,” the billionaire stated in an interview with PMG.
The 18F tech unit focused on modernizing key government technology services, including Login.gov, which serves as the main authentication system for various federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Meanwhile, USDS was responsible for improving recruitment, digital procurement processes, and modernizing government websites.
These offices provided services that government officials, along with Elon Musk, previously identified as essential to expand. However, in late February, 21 USDS staffers opted to resign rather than support Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which had taken over USDS. By March 1, GSA announced the dissolution of 18F after officials deemed it “non-critical,” according to an internal memo.
Cuban envisions a reformed tech enterprise that would operate profitably, a concept that contradicts the federal government’s mission to provide public goods and services. This perspective parallels Musk’s approach, which seeks to treat government like a business.
The viability of such a business model remains uncertain. Federal contracting companies are subject to the whims of federal agencies that dictate when outsourcing and financing are permissible, and high-ranking officials from the Trump administration and GSA have not indicated a desire to revive 18F and USDS. The 18F unit was intended to be self-sustaining through fees charged to federal agencies, but instead, it has experienced a “long-term shortfall of multi millions of dollars,” according to a GSA spokesperson.
“The Trump administration is not interested in what Mark Cuban has to say,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields remarked.
Nonetheless, the projects Cuban is pursuing may be setting their sights years into the future rather than months.
“Never once have we thought it could [go] federal before 2029,” a GSA staff member shared anonymously, providing insight into their discussions with Cuban.
According to a former 18F staffer, the type of firm Cuban is looking to finance would likely need to rely on local and state contracts until a more favorable administration emerges with broader funding opportunities.
Cuban’s plans face potential challenges from Musk and heads of various GSA agencies, who might opt to fill service gaps with loyalists from Silicon Valley instead of former in-house talent. Musk has already populated his U.S. DOGE Service with trusted figures from Tesla and SpaceX, while GSA’s leadership includes Musk supporters such as administrator Stephen Ehikian, a former Salesforce VP, and Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla software engineer leading the agency’s tech division.
“The biggest thing Trump-land values is loyalty. So they will go to that well for technologists,” the GSA staffer noted.
Cuban, however, remains undeterred. “If we can leverage the expertise and eliminate all the extra steps and the friction that had always been there, because that’s how government works, we can be the go-to for fixing the problems they created,” he expressed.
“It depends on the path,” the billionaire added. “In order for it to work, they would have to generate revenue [from] the private sector as well.”
“What I have tried to stress to several who I think have a chance, and may invest in, is that you have to look at this from an Elon point of view,” Cuban commented.
Once agencies recognize the effects of workforce cuts, he speculated, they might seek to restore essential services through affordable contractors, “which means that the expertise and experience 18F alum have needs to be used to be able to be the low cost, high knowledge solution. That is where I think these [newcomers] can thrive.” He did not elaborate on specifics regarding the timing or structure of the company.
A GSA spokesperson did not comment on the agency’s interest in Cuban’s plans, and White House DOGE advisor Katie Miller did not respond to requests for clarification.
These proposals come as DOGE moves forward with workforce and contract reductions to cut spending. The actions have resulted in the abrupt termination of tens of thousands of federal employees and initiated job cuts at private companies that lost federal contracts. Both DOGE and agencies like GSA have indicated that even more substantial reductions in workforce and contracts may be imminent.
Cuban’s recent pitches mark notable progress toward an idea he proposed on March 1, when GSA announced 18F's dissolution. “If you worked for 18F and got fired, group together to start a consulting company,” he suggested on the social media platform Bluesky. “It’s just a matter of time before DOGE needs you to fix the mess they inevitably create. They will have to hire your company as a contractor to fix it. But on your terms.”
“I’m happy to help,” he concluded.
Cuban’s latest endeavor adds another chapter to his ongoing dispute with Musk. Last year, Cuban advocated for former Vice President Kamala Harris, asserting she would effectively support small businesses and enhance the overall economy compared to Trump.
To successfully implement his latest business vision, Cuban must navigate persistent hesitance among some current and former GSA personnel to facilitate a private company’s profit from constructing public services, such as Notify.gov—a project used by agencies to notify the public of government benefits via text messages.
“Does allowing the government to text constituents need to turn a profit for an outside vendor?” questioned the GSA staff member. “I would argue it does not.”
A former 18F employee with insight into discussions with Cuban expressed skepticism: “I don’t see this type of thing making the money someone like Cuban would want, without turning it into a consultancy many of us wouldn’t want to work for.”
Cuban criticized some individuals for lacking an innovative entrepreneurial spirit, suggesting they merely wish to transition into new organizations that offer job security without a pathway to profitability.
“A couple have a real chance to turn into small companies that can leverage their expertise,” he stated.
Meanwhile, some former 18F technologists are exploring “partnerships with existing organizations, other sources of public benefit funding” to pursue non-profit-driven work arrangements, according to an insider.
Ultimately, however, it seems that everyone’s aims align. Cuban remarked of the staffers he has spoken with, ”they are hoping what they are creating will fill a void left by the firing of so many people.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
