President Trump took a shot at Elon Musk over the weekend. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sent an email to federal workers. The email asked them to list five accomplishments from the previous week. It caused a lot of outrage. Musk also added that if workers didn’t reply, they’d be assumed to have resigned. It wasn’t long before Trump responded. He posted a funny SpongeBob meme that got everyone talking.
Musk’s email stirs up controversy
Musk’s email to federal employees created quite a stir. The deadline to submit the list was set for Monday night at 11:59 p.m. That’s a tight deadline, especially over the weekend. Musk’s additional comment added to the tension. He suggested that if workers didn’t respond, they were effectively quitting. Some felt it was an unreasonable demand. Many workers, unions, and lawmakers took issue with the tone of the message. Critics said it was unfair and unprofessional. But that didn’t stop Musk from defending his actions.
Trump posts meme in response
In response to the controversy, Trump shared a meme on social media. The meme was a playful edit of a popular SpongeBob SquarePants image. It showed SpongeBob with a notepad and pencil. He looked deep in thought, pondering his tasks for the week. Meanwhile, Patrick Star held a second notepad with a list titled “Got Done Last Week.” The list was a comical rundown of trivial tasks. Among the items were “Read some emails” and “cried about Trump and Elon some more.” It was a jab at both Musk and the whole situation. Trump’s followers loved it. They found the meme to be a funny and relatable commentary on the chaos.
Musk’s own take on the situation
Musk didn’t let the criticism slide quietly. He also posted the meme on X (formerly Twitter). Musk defended his email, calling the request a “very basic pulse check.” He insisted that it was a simple way to gauge the productivity of the workforce. However, not everyone saw it that way. The reaction was split. Some agreed with Musk’s approach, while others felt it was disrespectful. Musk’s online followers chimed in with mixed reactions, but the controversy only grew. It seemed like the situation was only intensifying with every post.
Unions slam the request
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) quickly came out against the email. The union represents 800,000 federal workers, and they weren’t happy. AFGE President Everett Kelley sent a letter to the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management. The letter stated that workers had no legal obligation to respond to the email. Kelley called the request unlawful, adding that it was an overreach. The union’s response was swift and firm. They made it clear they wouldn’t stand for what they saw as a disrespectful demand.
Senators join the criticism
The criticism didn’t stop with unions. Democratic Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota joined the chorus of complaints. She took to social media, calling Musk’s email “the ultimate d–k boss move.” Smith said it was something many people could relate to: “There’s an email in your inbox on Saturday night saying, ‘Prove to me your worthiness by Monday or else.’” She expressed strong support for workers, calling out the “billionaire a–hole bosses.” Her fiery post added fuel to the fire. It was clear that Musk’s move was polarizing.
Agencies respond
As the backlash grew, some government agencies took action. They told their employees not to respond to the email. The FBI, the Department of Defense, and the State Department were among those who issued these instructions. They seemed to stand in defiance of Musk’s request. By telling staff not to reply, they sent a clear message. They didn’t support Musk’s approach. It was a bold stance by these agencies, but it raised the stakes.
The fallout
The fallout from this incident has been significant. Musk’s tough approach to government workers is being heavily criticized. His claim that the email was just a “pulse check” didn’t sit well with many. Workers feel disrespected and pressured. Union leaders are pushing back, demanding more fairness. Lawmakers like Sen. Smith are calling out the move as bullying. Agencies are refusing to comply. It’s clear that Musk’s email has caused a major stir. The question now is how this will play out in the coming weeks. Will Musk back off, or will he double down? The drama is just beginning. Keep watching to see what happens next.
