Uncanny Valley | WIRED A Former DOGE Staffer Speaks Out
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Jun 27, 2025 
Vittoria Elliott, a senior writer at Wired, interviews Sahil Lavingia, the founder of Gumroad and a former staffer at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Lavingia shares his chaotic experiences within the VA, exposing a lack of transparency and communication that hampered government efficiency. He discusses challenges faced during tech recruitment and reflects on misaligned expectations in government software initiatives. The conversation shifts to the cultural dynamics of Dogecoin and its implications amidst a turbulent political landscape.
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No Direct Data Exfiltration Observed
- Sahil had no knowledge of data exfiltration or foreign interference at Doge during his tenure.
- He was cautious with data, often leaving devices secured at government locations.
Discomfort with Doge Projects’ Value
- Sahil was uncomfortable with Doge’s approach to workforce reductions and redundant tasks.
- Many projects created work with little value and lacked clear utility or purpose.
Palantir's Dominance Likely to Continue
- Sahil attempted to cancel an expensive Palantir contract but failed.
- He believed Palantir could become the de facto government software provider due to contracting realities and government hiring limits.
