The Thin Skin of Billionaires: Elon Musk’s Campaign of Fear
Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed genius behind Tesla and SpaceX, has a new target for his online antics: rank-and-file federal workers. Now tasked with heading a vague “efficiency” advisory committee for government agencies, Musk has decided that his mission involves publicly taunting government workers he personally finds annoying.
His behavior, while repulsive, isn’t surprising. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a name as childish as it is frivolous, highlights the vanity project nature of this whole endeavor. The committee itself exists not to streamline government, but to provide a convenient illusion that something is actually being accomplished.
Musk’s effectiveness is equally nil. DOGE, lacking real power or authority, is nothing but a canine toothless tactic to create the illusion of action while accomplishing nothing of real consequence.
This should be a familiar tactic. Trump, a known fan of advisors he can control and image-focused efforts instead of real change, often utilized unofficial bodies and pronouncements to give a sense of activity with zero real impact.
But the emptiness of DOGE is underlined by Musk’s increasingly desperate cast pearls-before-swine attacks on individual federal workers on Twitter.
He clearly wants people to be scared. He wants employees foreshorten their terms to avoid becoming Musk’s persona non-grata.
堯 Musk seems to believe he embodies some higher form of intelligence and level-headedness, contrasting himself with the “ignorant” and “inefficient” government technologists – the people they listed the opposite. Musk has tweeted insults at these individuals, directly targeting them with baseless accusations of incompetence.
His targets seem to be chosen arbitrarily. Musk, famed for his ‘thinking big’ personality, seems strangely fixated on the minutiae of federal bureaucracy, picking apart seemingly arbitrary job titles andएँ projecting his own anxieties about being “exposed” for the intellectual fraud he truly is onto them.
This is more than just petty cruelty; this has clearly already impacted the lives of federal employees.This isn’t about streamlining Government, clearly, Musk’s real agenda is more primal than that.
Musk is revealing a whole lotta insecurity in these attacks. His fame rests on being the ‘cool guy’ – despite having the emotional range of a kindergartener. He uses his wealth like a shield, demanding praise for things he can buy, whether it be Twitter or any publicity stunt. Finding anyone critical of him — or his fragile ego
He chose these people experiencing real world consequences for their work.
While the impoverished aesthetes without using the silly right words. Using civilization as a battlefield to satisfy our ego.
Beumplimiento can be unpacked and explored, while still paying lip service to Musk being a ‘genius.’
This tactic is painful because there’s no stopping it. Dilution of wealth and achievement have no harm here. Loss isn’t always financial.
His attacks are of a piece with a willingness to engages in performative cruelty. Musk has shown a pattern of harassing those who dare to disagree with him, from whistle blowers to journalists. Their crime? Exposing the emptiness behind the personality.
Musk is not unique in this regard.
Think about it this way: The ‘real fans’ who love Musk’s antics, the kind who turn a blind eye to his maltreatment of those below him, are enabled by his wealth and influence. These people see Musk’s criminal investigation hero, are intimately familiar with the Emperor’s New Clothes, creating this world where competence is eschewed
What tactics does Elon Musk employ to intimidate and demoralize federal employees?
## The Thin Skin of Billionaires
**(Anchor):** Welcome back to “Inside the Beltway.” Today we’re joined by Dr. Amelia Jones, a political sociologist specializing in the intersection of technology and power. Dr. Jones, let’s dive right in. Elon Musk has been appointed to head a new ”Department of Government Efficiency” by former President Trump. This move has drawn criticism, particularly his public attacks on individual federal workers. What’s your take on Musk’s approach?
**(Dr. Jones):** This is a deeply concerning development. While the committee itself may lack real authority, Musk’s public
smear campaign against federal employees is a blatant attempt to intimidate and demoralize a crucial part of our
democracy. His use of Twitter to target individuals, often with baseless accusations, creates a hostile work
environment and undermines public trust in government.
It’s important to remember the context here. As your article mentions, [1](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/12/congress/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-trump-00189209) this move follows a pattern established by President Trump –
utilizing unofficial roles and pronouncements to project an image of productivity without actual policy
outcomes. This “DOGE” committee seems to fit that same mold – a vanity project designed to appease a base
that craves the illusion of action rather than substantial change.
**(Anchor):** Some might argue that Musk’s direct approach simply reflects his ”take no prisoners” business style.
**(Dr. Jones):** That’s a dangerous line of thinking. While Musk’s business acumen cannot be denied, his tactics in this instance are not about efficiency or progress. They’re about control and fear. By publicly shaming individuals, he’s attempting to stifle dissent and discourage scrutiny of his
own ambitions. This is not the behavior we should expect from someone entrusted, however nominally, with
improving our government. [2](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/12/congress/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-trump-00189209)
**(Anchor):** Dr. Jones, thank you for providing such insightful commentary on this disturbing trend.
**(Dr. Jones):** You’re welcome.
**(Anchor):** And we’ll be right back with more “Inside the Beltway” after this short break.