Federal workers fear they’ve earned the wrath of the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, after the Tesla CEO and DOGE co-chief accidentally questioned the performance of some federal employees receiving hefty government paychecks. A screenshot of the employees’ names went viral, and CNN reported that at least one of the four women named on the list had deleted her social media accounts.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy ordered to cut government spending and they said they would start with non-performing staff who are still working from home. All federal employees will be asked to report to the office five days a week and the order will invite many voluntary resignations, DOGE chiefs said, adding that these employees are doing some other work while receiving salaries from the government.
Is Nancy Pelosi’s niece on the list?
X and the viral list by DOGE have not issued any such list. The information shared on the screenshot is also from government records. For example, one X post stated, “Nancy Pelosi’s niece should not be paid $181,648.00 by the US taxpayer to be a ‘climate advisor’ at HUD.” To this, Elon Musk reacted and said: “But maybe her advice is surprising”.
Another post highlighted someone named Ashley Thomas, director of climate diversification at the US International Development Finance Corporation. “I don’t think the US taxpayer should be paying for the employment of ‘Climate Diversification (he/she)’ at the US International Development Finance Corporation,” said one X post.
Ashley has apparently deleted her social media presence as Elon Musk posted a screenshot with her name on it.
Elon Musk reshared the post and wrote: “So many fake jobs”.
Everett Kelly, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, reacted to Musk sharing the employees’ names, saying many employees fear their lives will be changed forever. “These tactics are intended to instill terror and fear among federal employees,” Kelly said.
Our opponent is no one in particular: Vivek Ramaswamy
DOGE co-chief Vivek Ramaswamy told CNN that DOGE’s adversary is bureaucracy and no one in particular. “Most federal employees, like most human beings, are basically good people and treated with respect, but the real problem is the bureaucracy.”