In an unexpected turn of events, federal employees were left stunned after responding to an email from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who requested a list of “five things they did this week.” Musk, known for his hands-on approach to running companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter (now X), has garnered attention for his direct, unconventional communication style. His email, which aimed to gather insights from government workers, took a surprising twist after many recipients replied with their lists of accomplishments.
The email, sent to a wide range of federal workers, was part of Musk’s ongoing effort to understand how various industries operate and how employees within the government sector manage their tasks. Musk, who frequently communicates with his employees in a direct and transparent manner, has long emphasized efficiency and productivity. This particular request seemed to reflect his belief in simplicity and clear goals. He asked workers to outline five specific tasks or projects they had accomplished during the week. This might have seemed like a relatively innocuous request, yet the fallout was anything but.
Many workers, accustomed to the structured and hierarchical communication style of government agencies, were initially baffled. The tone of Musk’s email was straightforward, yet the lack of any formal greeting or context felt informal and jarring. This is not to say that federal employees aren’t accustomed to receiving requests for information, but the way Musk framed the request, as if his role was akin to that of a direct boss, struck a chord with some.
SCOOP: Elon’s five bullet points program for DOGE has been a bust because they didn’t set up an email system that could handle the incoming. Four government employees from different agencies told us they got bounce backs when they sent their points in. pic.twitter.com/TcYUSRv47Z
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) March 26, 2025
Some of the responses Musk received were a mix of confusion, frustration, and disbelief. A few workers felt uncomfortable sharing the specifics of their week, especially since such details are often confined to more formal, structured reporting systems within the government. They worried that providing the requested information would breach internal processes or simply feel inappropriate without any context about Musk’s intentions. The employees who took the request seriously attempted to craft responses that were professional, but the sheer audacity of the email, with its no-nonsense tone, seemed to fly in the face of the typical communication culture within government workplaces.
Other federal workers, however, were quick to engage with Musk’s request, sharing detailed lists of their weekly accomplishments. Many responded with enthusiasm, eager to highlight their hard work and contributions. But even their responses seemed to highlight the vast difference in expectations between the private sector, where Musk operates, and the government. One employee remarked that while they were happy to list their accomplishments, they were also required to navigate countless bureaucratic processes that often delayed their ability to make real progress on projects. Another noted the complexities involved in obtaining approval for even the smallest changes within the government system, which starkly contrasts with Musk’s more fast-paced approach.
The shock didn’t end there. In some instances, employees received follow-up responses, with Musk sending pointed feedback or expressing his thoughts on the tasks shared. This unorthodox engagement left some workers questioning Musk’s true purpose behind the request. Was it a genuine attempt to understand the workings of government agencies, or was it simply another example of Musk’s penchant for stirring the pot and disrupting traditional systems?
The story spread quickly, with media outlets picking up on the unusual interaction between one of the world’s most powerful entrepreneurs and federal workers. Critics of Musk’s approach argued that his request could further exacerbate feelings of alienation among public servants, while others praised him for trying to bring a fresh perspective to a typically rigid environment. Despite the mixed reactions, one thing was clear: Musk’s attempt to inject his brand of efficiency into the federal workforce had certainly created a stir, leaving many to wonder whether this was a unique move or a sign of things to come.
