Elon Musk Is Running the Twitter Playbook on the Federal Government

Elon Musk's influence is evident in the recent actions of the U.S. federal government, which is adopting strategies reminiscent of his management style at Twitter (now X). Following Musk's appointment in President Trump's administration, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email to federal employees, urging them to either resign by February 6 if they do not wish to return to the office full-time or commit to a culture of excellence. This approach mirrors Musk's "Fork in the Road" ultimatum to Twitter staff, where employees were pressured to opt into a demanding work culture or face severance. The OPM's email emphasizes the need for a reliable and loyal workforce, reflecting Musk's previous tactics of workforce reduction and stringent performance expectations. Critics, including union leaders, warn that this could lead to significant disruptions in government operations, as the federal workforce is subject to specific regulations regarding employment. The government is also implementing a zero-based budgeting approach, requiring justification for all expenses, a method Musk has previously employed. The situation has sparked concern among federal employees, with many expressing distrust regarding the government's intentions and potential consequences of these changes.

- The U.S. federal government is adopting management strategies similar to those used by Elon Musk at Twitter.

- Federal employees are being pressured to resign if they do not agree to return to the office full-time.

- Critics warn that these changes could disrupt government operations and harm dedicated civil servants.

- The government is implementing zero-based budgeting, requiring justification for all expenses.

- Many federal employees express distrust regarding the government's intentions and potential consequences.