President Donald Trump has appointed Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb Inc., as the nation’s first Chief Design Officer. This new position aims to modernize federal digital services and physical locations, according to a report by The Hill. Gebbia will lead the newly established National Design Studio, which operates under Trump’s “America by Design” executive order signed on February 2, 2024.
The initiative comes in response to significant shortcomings in the federal digital infrastructure. The executive order’s fact sheet reveals that only 6% of approximately 26,000 federal websites receive “good” ratings for mobile performance. Furthermore, 45% of these websites lack any mobile-friendly functionality. Gebbia expressed his vision for transformation, stating in a post on X, “An experience that projects a level of excellence for our nation, and makes life less complicated for everyday Americans,” likening it to “the Apple Store: beautifully designed, great user experience, run on modern software.”
Three-Year Mission to Improve Federal Services
The National Design Studio will be headquartered at the White House, with Gebbia reporting directly to Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff. Federal agency heads are required to consult with Gebbia to implement design enhancements, aiming for tangible results by July 4, 2026. The temporary organization will dissolve three years after its establishment, focusing on websites and physical locations that significantly impact Americans’ daily lives. Trump’s directive seeks to “reduce duplicative design costs” and “enhance the public’s trust in high-impact service providers.”
Gebbia’s appointment is influenced by his extensive background in the technology sector. He owns approximately 7% of Airbnb, which has an estimated value of $80.74 billion. His net worth stands at around $8.14 billion, placing him at 430th globally, according to Bloomberg data. His position on the board of Tesla Inc. since 2022 and his connections with CEO Elon Musk may have played a role in his selection for this critical role.
Airbnb Performance and Market Impact
As of February 2, 2024, Airbnb’s stock closed at $129.92, reflecting a 2.76% increase on the previous trading day, according to Benzinga Pro data. The company trades around 4.84 million shares daily and has a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.46. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings highlight Airbnb’s growth score as 89.44.
With this strategic appointment, the Trump administration aims to address pressing issues in federal service design, ensuring that technology and user experience become central to government operations. The success of this initiative will likely be measured by its impact on citizens’ interactions with federal services in the coming years.
