Trump’s Appointment of Airbnb Co-Founder as Chief Design Officer: A Cosmetic Focus on Governance

In a move that further underscores the questionable judgment of the Trump administration, President Donald Trump has appointed Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, as the first chief design officer of the United States. This position comes with the dubious objective of redefining the federal government’s design language in an effort that critics deem more cosmetic than substantive.

Gebbia, who recently joined the Department of Government Efficiency and boasts a seat on the Tesla board, claims his goal is to make government services as enjoyable to use as shopping at the Apple Store. The administration’s insistence on aesthetic improvements over meaningful reform raises concerns about their priorities while facing pressing national issues.

Through an executive order establishing the National Design Studio, Trump intends to direct federal programs toward a so-called “America by Design” initiative. This studio is supposed to help agencies reduce inefficient design expenditures and enhance user experience. However, the focus on a superficial redesign rather than comprehensive policy reform illustrates a lack of seriousness in addressing real governance challenges.

Although Gebbia expressed gratitude for the opportunity to elevate U.S. design standards, skepticism remains about the effectiveness of this endeavor. With no guarantee of lasting impact or results, this initiative appears to be another instance of conflating image with integrity and results in the Trump administration.

Ultimately, this appointment raises broader concerns regarding Trump’s ability to prioritize substantial governance improvements over cosmetic changes, with the new role suggesting a typical pattern of neglecting systemic issues in favor of populist imagery. Critics will watch closely to see whether this venture adds real value or merely serves as another PR stunt for the administration.