Elon Musk shares real reason for ultimatum email sent to all federal employees
ArchiveFirst published March 5, 2025. It may not reflect later developments.
Musk’s Directive and Trump’s Push
Elon Musk, now leading President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sent a controversial ultimatum email to all federal employees. The email required workers to list five accomplishments from the past week or face termination. President Trump praised Musk but urged him to be “more aggressive,” stating, “ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE.”
Musk’s Justification
Responding to criticism, Musk defended his move, saying it was meant “to see who had a pulse and two working neurons.” He also warned that those failing to respond by the deadline would be “furthering their career elsewhere.”
Resistance and Bureaucratic Pushback
The directive sparked resistance, with multiple federal agencies instructing staff to ignore Musk’s demands. FBI Director Kash Patel told employees, “The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes.”
Trump’s Support and Future Implications
Despite backlash, Trump doubled down, sharing a SpongeBob meme mocking upset federal workers. With Musk leading DOGE and Trump’s endorsement, the conflict over federal employment is far from over.
