Donald Trump names Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia Chief Design Officer of U.S.

Washington, D.C. - August 29, 2025 - President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing the National Design Studio (NDS), a White House-based body tasked with modernizing the federal government’s digital interface within the Executive Office of the President. The order also launched the “America by Design” initiative, a program aimed at transforming how citizens interact with federal websites and platforms.

Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has been named the first Chief Design Officer (CDO) of the United States. His mandate is to transform more than 26,000 federal websites, creating an Apple Store-like experience, sleek, intuitive, and powered by modern software.

Mission and Mandate

“The mission is to make U.S. government websites as satisfying to use as the Apple Store, beautifully designed, offering a great user experience, and powered by modern software,” Gebbia said in his statement.

The NDS will focus on enhancing usability, elevating visual standards, and reducing redundant design costs across federal agencies. Set up as a three-year program, it is expected to wind down operations by August 2028. Structurally, the studio will operate under the authority of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, ensuring close alignment with presidential priorities and executive oversight.

Scope of Work

According to The Washington Post, the redesign will prioritize high-traffic services where Americans most often interact with the government. These include:

• Student loan payments
• Passport renewals
• National park planning
• Social Security updates
• Tax filings

Agencies are expected to show measurable progress by 4 July 2026, a symbolic deadline coinciding with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Recruitment and Collaboration

To achieve these ambitious goals, Gebbia will lead a major recruitment push, drawing top design talent from the private sector and building partnerships with leading firms and thought leaders. The initiative seeks to establish unified, streamlined design systems across agencies, preventing fragmented efforts and ensuring a cohesive, modernized government web presence.

With Gebbia’s leadership and the White House’s backing, the National Design Studio represents a bold attempt to redefine how Americans experience government services in the digital era.