Chainsaw Elon Answers His Own “Demand to Respond with Five Bullet Points Explaining What All Federal Employees Did the Previous Week.”
Actually, Elon is not answering. I am doing that for him, with the aid of ChatGPT, so I cannot be accused of partisanism. But such a response is necessary, if he expects the employment of other government workers to make such a disclosure.
He is, after all, simply another government employee, elected by no one and given extraordinary oversight responsibilities by the Orange Man who occupies the Oval Office.
Because of these extraordinaryisms, I have extended his answer-sheet to cover twenty achievements and the full six weeks of his employment.
Fair is fair except, I will admit, with the Orange Man. But here’s the list of Elon’s twenty, as per ChatGPT, and you are encouraged to make your own decision over his future employment:
ELON’S TWENTY ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Implementation of Stringent Work Policies: Musk mandated that federal employees report their weekly accomplishments or face termination, aiming to enhance accountability and efficiency within the government.
2. Significant Budgetary Reductions: Under Musk's leadership, DOGE has targeted various federal agencies for budget cuts, including the Department of Defense and the Internal Revenue Service, in efforts to eliminate wasteful spending.
3. Advancement of Cost-Cutting Initiatives: Musk's team has proposed measures such as reducing administrative funding at the National Institutes of Health and implementing mass layoffs across various federal agencies to streamline operations.
4. Launched DOGE Stimulus Check Proposal: Proposed distributing $400 billion in stimulus checks to tax-paying Americans by reallocating 20% of the identified $2 trillion in government waste, potentially providing approximately $5,000 per eligible household by 2026.
5. Faced Criticism Over Feasibility: Encountered skepticism regarding the practicality of achieving the proposed $2 trillion in cuts, with experts questioning the impact on essential services and programs.
6. Influenced Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Invested millions in supporting Republican candidate Brad Schimel in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election, aiming to expand political influence.
7. Promoted Consolidation of Federal Agencies: Advocated for reducing the number of federal agencies from over 400 to fewer than 100 to streamline government functions.
8. Promoted Dogecoin: Continued to influence the cryptocurrency market by promoting Dogecoin, leading to fluctuations in its value
9. Influenced Social Media Trends: Utilized personal social media platforms to influence public opinion and market trends, particularly in technology and cryptocurrency sectors.
10. Faced Public Criticism: Encountered public and media scrutiny over business decisions, social media conduct, and political involvement.
11. Publicly Suggested Peace Plan Favorable to Russia: Musk proposed a controversial "peace plan" on Twitter (now X), suggesting Ukraine should cede Crimea to Russia and hold referendums in occupied territories. Ukrainian officials rejected the idea, and some accused him of promoting Kremlin talking points.
12. Criticized US Weapons Sales to Taiwan: Musk has questioned US military aid to Taiwan, warning that such actions provoke China. Some critics argue that he is acting as a geopolitical player rather than just a businessman.
13. Defied Brazilian Supreme Court Orders: In early 2024, Musk refused to comply with court-ordered takedowns of disinformation on X, calling the judge a "dictator" and threatening to shut down X operations in Brazil. This sparked a legal battle with the Brazilian government.
14. Alternative for Germany (AfD): Musk has publicly expressed support for the far-right AfD party, which recently secured 21% of the vote in federal elections, becoming the second-largest force in parliament. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Musk's support for the far-right in Europe as "completely unacceptable."
15. Musk has intervened in favor of right-wing politicians across Europe, offering messages of support for these parties and criticizing elected leaders.
16. Financial Challenges: Musk's net worth has experienced a decline, partly due to the commercial underperformance of his acquisition of Twitter (now rebranded as X) and a 45% drop in Tesla's sales in Europe, affecting his overall financial standing.
17. Launched DOGE Stimulus Check Proposal: Proposed distributing $400 billion in stimulus checks to tax-paying Americans by reallocating 20% of the identified $2 trillion in government waste, potentially providing approximately $5,000 per eligible household by 2026.
18. On February 26, 2025, President Trump held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term. Elon Musk was present at this meeting, despite not holding an official Cabinet position. His attendance drew attention, leading President Trump to humorously address the Cabinet, inquiring if anyone was unhappy with Musk's presence, adding if so, they could leave now.
19. In November 2024, shortly after the U.S. presidential election, President-elect Trump received a congratulatory call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During this call, Trump unexpectedly included Elon Musk in the conversation. This move was unanticipated by Zelenskyy and raised questions about Musk's role in U.S.-Ukraine relations. While specific details of Musk's contributions during the call remain undisclosed, his involvement underscores his increasing influence in geopolitical matters.
20. In the aftermath of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, Elon Musk publicly criticized President Zelenskyy, stating that he "destroyed himself in the eyes of the American people." Musk's comments have sparked significant debate and media coverage, reflecting a notable shift in public opinion regarding U.S. support for Ukraine.
All of which has come at personal risk to both Musk’s businesses, as well as his personal wealth, which is tied to those business successes or losses.
Elon Musk's net worth has experienced significant fluctuations since the November 2024 U.S. presidential election. Following President Donald Trump's re-election on November 5, 2024, Musk's net worth surged by 84%, reaching a peak of $486 billion. This increase was driven by a 75% rise in Tesla's stock, a substantial secondary offering of SpaceX stock, and a new funding round for his AI company.
However, recent reports indicate a decline in Musk's net worth. As of February 25, 2025, Musk has lost $52 billion since the start of the year, primarily due to a downturn in Tesla's stock performance. This decline is attributed to concerns over Musk's political involvement and its impact on Tesla's brand perception, leading to decreased sales in key markets.
Does his role at DOGE present conflicts of interest relative to his various government contracts?
Elon Musk's dual roles as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and CEO of companies with substantial federal contracts have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. As a "special government employee," Musk is subject to federal ethics laws that prohibit participation in official matters where he has a financial interest.
Critics argue that Musk's mandate to reduce government spending could influence decisions affecting his own businesses, such as SpaceX and Tesla, which have received significant taxpayer funding.
For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reportedly directed staff to secure funding for a deal with Musk's Starlink to upgrade air traffic control communications, potentially replacing an existing contract with Verizon. Lawmakers have labeled this proposed agreement a conflict of interest, suggesting it prioritizes Musk's wealth over public safety.
Furthermore, Musk's involvement in reducing the federal workforce has sparked protests, with demonstrators accusing him of leveraging his government position to benefit his enterprises.
In summary, Musk's simultaneous leadership in government and private sectors presents potential conflicts of interest, prompting scrutiny from ethics experts and public officials.
In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny, “Thaaat’s aaaaall, folks!”
None of which is merely my opinion, except perhaps for Bugs Bunny.
He is an icon.