Joe Gebbia, co-founder and former Chief Product Officer of Airbnb, announced that he has been appointed by US President Donald Trump as the first Chief Design Officer (CDO) of the US government.
In a post on X, Gebbia (44) said his mission is to upgrade US government services to be “as enjoyable to use as the Apple Store: with impeccable design, a top-notch user experience and modern software.”
The new position was created by an executive order signed by Trump on Thursday, which also establishes the National Design Studio. In the text of the order, the President stressed that “it is time to close the country’s digital potholes” and to renew the “design language of government so that it is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.” The national initiative will be called “America by Design.”
According to the order, all federal agency heads must work with Gebbia, presenting the first results by July 4, 2026.
Speaking to Axios, Gebbia called it an “injustice” that government digital interfaces are “outdated,” noting that “government apps and websites are the ‘front door’ of government and should have the quality of an Apple or an Airbnb.”
Gebbia has already worked with the Trump administration, as he took a role in the White House DOGE office last February, with his first task being to improve the “slow and paper-based retirement process” for federal employees.
The news of his appointment was publicly welcomed by both Elon Musk – until recently the head of DOGE – and David Sacks, the head of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies at the White House.
Gebbia retired from active management of Airbnb in 2022, but remains a member of the company’s Board of Directors, while since the same year he has also been a member of the board of Tesla.
“I will do my best to make the United States the most beautiful and useful country in the digital world,” Gebbia said.
