Elon Musk’s Criticism of U.S. Government Officials

Elon Musk’s Criticism as co-director of President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk has leveraged his 205 million followers to spotlight government inefficiencies.

Targeting Government Workers

Musk’s critiques have shifted from government agencies to individual federal employees. Recently, he called out Ashley Thomas, a director at the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., following a social media query about her role. His repost, “So many fake jobs,” gained 32 million views, sparking memes and mockery, including the comment, “Sorry Ashley Thomas, Gravy Train is Over.

Trump Appoints Musk and Ramaswamy to DOGE

Earlier this month, Trump appointed Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, a body aimed at reducing government spending, slashing regulations, and restructuring federal agencies. In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Musk and Ramaswamy advocated for reducing federal employment, citing economist Milton Friedman’s stance on eliminating agencies like education, commerce, and agriculture.

Controversial Tactics Firing Federal Employees

Ramaswamy suggested firing federal employees based on odd or even Social Security numbers, calling it a “75 percent reduction.” Meanwhile, Musk continued targeting individuals, a tactic previously used on Twitter. He drew attention to government officials, including former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adviser Mary “Missy” Cummings. Additionally, Musk highlighted former Twitter executive Yoel Roth in his ongoing campaign.

Trump’s Nominee Vetting Defiance Sparks GOP Rift

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee vetting is set to bypass the FBI’s traditional vetting process for his nominees…

Recent Target Alexis Pelosi and Other Federal Workers

Musk’s recent post targeted Alexis Pelosi, a senior climate adviser at HUD and relative of Rep. Nancy Pelosi. He also named two lesser-known officials, one of whom had left her position months earlier. This move sparked further backlash against Musk’s strategy of criticizing federal workers.

Backlash Against Musk’s Approach

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, condemned Musk’s tactics as attempts to instill fear. Furthermore, Kelley argued that contractors, receiving more funding, should be held accountable for waste, not government workers. He emphasized that focusing solely on federal employees undermines the broader issue of accountability. Therefore, Kelley called for a more balanced approach to addressing government waste.

The Case of Ashley Thomas

Ashley Thomas, a well-educated MIT and Oxford graduate, works for an agency that improves living standards in developing countries. Despite her impressive background, Musk’s post triggered ridicule and speculation about her job security. Critics argue that targeting individuals like Thomas undermines their legitimate contributions.

Public Response to Musk’s Criticism

Civil rights activist Michael Skolnik defended Thomas, calling out Musk for attacking someone engaged in meaningful work. However, a representative of the “datahazard” account defended naming federal employees. They asserted that taxpayers have a right to know who holds these positions. In contrast, the representative argued that such transparency benefits public trust and accountability.