The ‘Muskification’ of the Federal Government: A Radical Overhaul in Motion
The influence of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has reached the highest levels of the U.S. government, as his leadership tactics appear to be reshaping federal operations. Musk, now a top advisor to President Donald Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is implementing sweeping changes reminiscent of his controversial takeover of Twitter, now rebranded as X.
This week, federal employees received a memo with the subject line: “A fork in the road,” echoing a message Musk sent to Twitter employees in 2022. The directive gives workers an ultimatum: commit to “excellence” and demonstrate “reliability, loyalty, and trustworthiness,” or resign and accept a buyout.
A Familiar Playbook
The parallels between Musk’s corporate restructuring at Twitter and his government strategy are striking. At Twitter, he rapidly downsized the company, cutting thousands of jobs and eliminating entire departments, which led to severe technical disruptions and a sharp decline in platform value. His approach to government appears to be no different, with an aggressive push to downsize agencies and reduce federal spending.
Former Twitter executive Lara Cohen took to social media to express concern over Musk’s approach. “They come in, get no context, turn off everything without knowing who does what… That was a social media company. This is the country, and this will hurt people beyond repair,” she warned.
A Controversial Vision for Government
Trump and Musk share a common goal of streamlining government operations, with Musk publicly supporting large-scale layoffs. His position at DOGE has granted him direct influence over federal workforce reductions, with a White House official confirming his role in orchestrating the buyouts.
“Downsizing government is the most popular issue by far!” Musk declared in an X post, citing polling data that suggests public support for cutting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. However, critics argue that government is fundamentally different from a business. William Klepper, a professor at Columbia Business School, explains, “In business, success is about profitability and competition. Government is about serving the public. These strategies don’t necessarily translate.”
Concerns Over Efficiency and Stability
The rapid changes have sparked concerns about potential dysfunction within federal agencies. Musk’s previous actions at Twitter resulted in technical failures, legal disputes, and a loss of credibility. Experts worry that applying similar tactics to the government could lead to operational breakdowns affecting millions of Americans.
Meanwhile, the White House remains steadfast in its support. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sidestepped questions regarding Musk’s role, instead praising his work at DOGE as “incredibly productive.”
Musk’s Rising Power
Beyond his government role, Musk has leveraged his influence to shape public perception in favor of Trump. Over the past year, he has used X to amplify Trump’s policies, further cementing his role in the administration. His deepening ties to the White House have also fueled speculation about how his businesses—Tesla, SpaceX, and X—might benefit from government policies and contracts.
While Musk’s involvement in government restructuring aligns with Trump’s push for smaller government, the long-term effects remain uncertain. Will this strategy bring greater efficiency, or will it destabilize the very institutions it seeks to reform? As Musk continues to implement his vision, the nation watches closely, bracing for the impact of what some are calling the ‘Muskification’ of the federal government.
