Meet Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia, who Trump appointed to Doge alongside Elon Musk: the billionaire once lived like a monk in Japan – now he sits on Tesla’s board

Feb 26 , 2025

Elon Musk has a new colleague at Doge in Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia. Photos: TNS, @joegebs/Instagram

Gebbia co-founded Airbnb in San Francisco in 2008 and is now worth at least US$8.7 billion – he sits on the boards of Airbnb and Tesla, and has worked with Musk on various projects and investments

Joe Gebbia is the latest high-profile name to join US President Donald Trump’s increasingly high-profile administration, which now includes two members of the Kennedy clan and former college footballer – and twice-failed Congress candidate – Bo Hines. Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, will be serving in the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), headed by Elon Musk.

Joe Gebbia (right) at Fortune’s Brainstorm Design conference in Singapore in March 2018. Photo: @joegebs/Instagram

According to Newsweek, Gebbia’s background with Airbnb illustrates his experience with disruptive business models, which accords with Musk’s approach to streamlining and cost-cutting at Doge. The Airbnb concept has been widely labelled the pioneer of the sharing economy, which is a cornerstone of the digital revolution.

Elon Musk arriving at a government reception in Washington this month. Photo: Reuters

Though Gebbia’s role at Doge is still unclear, he will reportedly be working with Musk on budget-reduction initiatives. The relationship between the two entrepreneurs goes way back, the pair having collaborated on numerous projects and investments.

From meditation to major money moves, here is what we know about Joe Gebbia.

Joe Gebbia is a billionaire businessman

Brian Chesky (left), Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia founded Airbnb in 2008. Photo: @trajectoryventures/Instagram

Gebbia, 43, has an estimated net worth of US$8.7 billion, says Forbes. Much of his wealth comes from his seven per cent stake in Airbnb, the home-rental company he co-founded in 2008 with Brian Chesky and Nathan Blecharczyk. He also sits on the boards of Airbnb and Tesla.

The trio famously came up with the concept of Airbnb when looking for ways to raise money to pay their rent in San Francisco. Realising that the city was hosting a conference and that hotels were full, they decided to rent an air mattress in their apartment to attendees who needed accommodation.

He’s a sports lover

Judging by his Instagram account, Gebbia appears to be a big sports fan. On his grid, he’s shared shots of himself skiing and participating in charity basketball games. And he apparently loves sport enough to be involved in the industry.