Musk Brings Twitter Playbook to Federal Government, Sparking Concerns
Washington, D.C. — Elon Musk’s influence on the U.S. government is growing, as federal employees received a memo this week mirroring the ultimatum he once issued at Twitter. The memo, titled “A Fork in the Road,” demanded workers commit to “excellence” and loyalty or accept a buyout, echoing Musk’s 2022 directive when he took over Twitter, now X.
Musk, now a top advisor to President Donald Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been instrumental in the administration’s push to downsize the federal workforce. His involvement aligns with Trump’s long-standing promise to shrink government operations.
Critics warn of potential disruptions. Former Twitter executive Lara Cohen likened the move to Musk’s rapid cost-cutting at the social media platform, which led to mass layoffs, system failures, and a significant decline in value. Experts also caution that government functions, unlike private businesses, focus on public service rather than profitability.
Despite the controversy, the White House praised Musk’s efforts, calling them “incredibly productive.” Musk defended the move on X, claiming government downsizing is “the most popular issue by far.” However, with parallels to Twitter’s tumultuous restructuring, concerns remain about the impact on federal operations and public services.
