In a rare show of vulnerability, the outgoing head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, has admitted that running the agency has taken a massive toll on him. Responding to a poll showing his low approval ratings, the Tesla CEO revealed that he has "'at times" been "digging my own grave way better than my enemies do."
Musk, 53, made the shocking post on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, in response to the poll posted by Nate Silver. "The inevitable outcome of having a political propaganda war waged against me," wrote Musk. "I have almost no countervailing campaign and, at times, digging my own grave way better than my enemies do."
The post seemed to divide several denizens of the internet. Several of which were critical of Musk, while others seemed sympathetic.
"I think your numbers would be much higher if it weren't for the salute," one person wrote, referring the alleged incident of Musk doing the Nazi salute during Donald Trump's inauguration in January. "Maybe becoming a catturd reply guy was a bad move," a second person stated.
"People don't like cybertruck-shaped ketamine addicts as much as you thought," a third person commented. "btw you suck at video games."
Other people tried to offer the billionaire some support. "It's a good thing you don't care what people think about you," a person chimed in. "Acknowledging the damage/disruption to real people that are the collateral damage would go a long way in repairing your public image," a second person consoled. "Cuts are hard, cuts are needed. But being kind during these troubling times is sorely needed."
"Hang in there, Elon," a third person professed. "We need you and we love ya." The love for the SpaceX owner comes as he faces the end of his time in the Trump Administration.
A contingent of 77 Democratic lawmakers has reportedly urged the White House to set a May 30 deadline for Musk, who officials surrounding President Trump have raised alarm over amid claims he is "'high,"to wrap up his involvement with the administration.
Musk's roles have been described in varying terms as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisor to President Donald Trump, and a "special government employee." Should Musk, whose relationship with Trump appears to have taken a dive after the US President claimed he 'doesn't need him, be classified as the latter, federal regulations limit the tenure of special government employees to a maximum of 130 days.
The legislators, spearheaded by Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), delineated in their missive to the president that Musk has leveraged his "special government employee" status to boost his own wealth, all while chopping billions from the national budget and affecting essential services. A letter delivered on Wednesday and revealed by Axios read: "In his short time in government, Elon Musk has done enormous harm to working Americans," asserting, "Musk's reckless destruction of government agencies has led to everything from seniors having challenges accessing Social Security to veterans losing access to care at VA hospitals."
The document also throws light on possible conflicts of interest concerning the hefty federal contracts secured by Musk's SpaceX. The members of Congress expressed their demand crisply: "We demand that you stop ignoring federal law and ethics rules to empower an unelected billionaire."
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