President Donald Trump has appointed Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb Inc., as the first Chief Design Officer of the United States. This new role aims to revamp federal digital services and physical locations, addressing significant shortcomings in the government’s digital infrastructure. The announcement was made following Trump’s executive order titled “America by Design,” which was signed on October 5, 2023.
The initiative comes in response to a report highlighting a usability crisis among federal websites. Currently, only 6% of approximately 26,000 federal sites receive “good” ratings for mobile performance, while 45% lack mobile-friendly features altogether. Gebbia expressed his vision for a better user experience, likening it to the aesthetic and functional excellence of an Apple store. He emphasized the need for a design that simplifies life for everyday Americans.
Gebbia’s Role and Objectives
As Chief Design Officer, Gebbia will lead the newly established National Design Studio, which will be based in the White House. He will report directly to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Under the executive order, federal agency heads are required to consult with Gebbia to implement design improvements, with an initial deadline set for July 4, 2026. The temporary organization is intended to operate for three years, focusing on websites and physical locations that significantly impact the daily lives of Americans.
The executive order aims to streamline design costs and bolster public trust in high-impact service providers. Gebbia’s appointment reflects a strategic move to modernize federal services through his extensive experience in the tech industry.
Background and Financial Impact
Gebbia brings a wealth of experience from the technology sector, holding approximately 7% of Airbnb and boasting an estimated net worth of $8.14 billion, placing him at rank 430 globally according to Bloomberg. His position on the board of Tesla Inc. since 2022 and his established relationship with CEO Elon Musk may have influenced this appointment, given Musk’s prior connections to the Trump administration.
As for Airbnb, the company closed at $129.92, reflecting a 2.76% increase on the previous trading day, according to Benzinga Pro data. With a market valuation of $80.74 billion and a daily trading volume of approximately 4.84 million shares, Airbnb continues to be a significant player in the online marketplace sector.
This appointment marks a pivotal moment in the effort to enhance federal digital services, with Gebbia’s leadership expected to drive substantial improvements aimed at benefiting the American public.
