Bulwark Takes: Detailed Summary of "Elon's DOGE Email Unleashes Chaos"

Release Date: February 24, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Hosts: Sam Stein, Lauren Egan, Tim Miller

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosted by Sam Stein, Lauren Egan, and Tim Miller, the team delves into the turbulent aftermath of Elon Musk's controversial email to the DOGE team. The discussion navigates through Musk's attempt to streamline communications within the government-associated DOGE team by mandating employees to report their weekly activities, the ensuing chaos, and the broader implications for government operations and political dynamics.

Elon's DOGE Email Incident

The episode kicks off with Sam Stein outlining the crux of the controversy:

Sam Stein [01:43]: "We're going to talk about Doge. We're going to talk about Elon. We're going to talk about Elon's email that went out over the weekend that everyone might be forced to resign if they didn't tell what five things they've done in the past week to their, I guess, to the Doge team."

Elon Musk's email demanded that DOGE team employees list five tasks they've accomplished in the past week, under the threat of forced resignations for non-compliance. This move was perceived as an attempt to impose corporate-style accountability within a governmental framework, leading to significant backlash.

Government Response and Internal Conflict

The hosts discuss the varied responses from different government agencies to Musk's directive:

Sam Stein [03:03]: "All right, so there it is. Trump's like, it seems like a good idea. It's not so bad. But in reality, everyone basically in the government has told Elon to pound sand."

Agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and officials like Tulsi Gabbard and Cash Patel advised their teams to ignore Musk's email, stating that there would be no penalties for non-response.

Lauren Egan adds depth to this by highlighting the internal resistance:

Lauren Egan [05:25]: "I feel like it's almost like revenge of the middle managers right now. Like, middle managers are just kind of like, we're not doing this. And it's kind of like the first crack. I feel like we're seeing that like anyone who like has worked in the federal government just knows how big of a bureaucracy is and how like these middle managers are going to try and protect their teams to the extent they can."

This resistance is framed as a protective measure by middle managers against what they perceive as unnecessary and disruptive oversight from Musk.

Trump's Position and Elon-Government Dynamics

The episode explores former President Trump's stance on the matter and potential friction between Musk and the current administration:

Tim Miller [03:40]: "I don't think so, because Donald Trump also, in addition to that video you just showed, bleed at this yesterday, all caps. Elon is doing a great job, but I'd like to see him get more aggressive. Remember, we have a country to save, blah, blah, blah."

Sam Stein probes whether there's genuine tension or if the situation is being exaggerated:

Sam Stein [08:29]: "Like you think he's totally cool with this. Tim. I sense that he. How can you not, how can you not find some of this annoying? Elon's around all the time. He's constantly doing stupid, he's getting overturned in court, constantly. He's annoying all your people, all the people you've put around you. Like, I find that, I find that I wouldn't have fun with that."

Tim Miller responds by expressing his disdain for Musk's antics:

Tim Miller [08:59]: "I would want to hang out with someone like that ... I'd rather rip my toenails off than spend 5min with Elon. Like I have no interest in hanging out with him."

The conversation suggests that while Trump may publicly support Musk, there is underlying frustration within the government regarding Musk's interference and management style.

Analysis of Musk's Strategy and Effectiveness

The hosts critically analyze Musk's approach, questioning its efficacy and underlying motives:

Sam Stein [07:52]: "Like it just feels so like corporate, you know, like yeah, like he's taking his playbook and he's adopting it to the government. I want him to like come up with innovative ways to make people miserable. There's got to be other ways to do it."

Lauren Egan expands on the potential reasons behind Musk's actions:

Lauren Egan [07:43]: "But in this case, the middle manager is literally the cabinet official. It's like Cash Patel being like, cash is in the cabinet. But like it's, you know, cash is like, you know what? Actually, I don't really think that Elon should determine if my team resigns because they didn't respond to Elon's email."

Tim Miller suggests a possible ulterior motive:

Tim Miller [06:33]: "Like everything that he's done has been ill conceived. So like here is like on the one hand this is just like he's way, he's way out over his skis. They don't know what they're doing. It's a shit show. They're going to get overturned in court. That said like one part of their motivation here is I do think that they want to make people's lives miserable and they want people to self resign."

This segment underscores the perception that Musk's tactics may be more about disrupting and asserting control rather than fostering genuine efficiency or accountability.

Comparisons to Previous Administrations

The discussion contrasts the current administration's approach with that of previous ones, particularly highlighting the differences between Trump and Biden's administrations:

Lauren Egan [10:38]: "Obviously we've all talked about when Biden was in office, how it was so boring Compared to Trump. And, like, that is just true. Like, what was the most exciting thing that happened during the Biden years? Sam? I can't even remember."

Sam Stein [11:20]: "But I'm just saying, what qualified is spicy then is just like, no, it's."

The hosts lament the relative lack of dynamism in Biden's administration compared to the more tumultuous Trump era, suggesting that Musk's interference brings back a semblance of that turbulence.

Humorous Interlude: AI-Generated Content

Adding levity to the discussion, the hosts mention an AI-generated video involving Elon and Trump:

Sam Stein [12:31]: "Apparently, someone hacked into their systems, apparently. And posted video. AI generated video. I think it's AI generated."

Tim Miller [12:44]: "Don't show it."

Lauren Egan [12:56]: "It's so cruel."

This segment showcases the absurdity and potential misinformation issues surrounding high-profile figures like Musk and Trump.

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the broader implications of Musk's actions:

Sam Stein [13:58]: "Like, I think what they want is just Trump to get rid of the guy. But, I mean, I get it. I think it's so obviously transparent and handed that no one's gonna buy it. Even Trump's like, I know what you're trying to do."

Tim Miller [14:08]: "I hate this gimmick. It's too transparent. And number two, be careful what you wish for."

The consensus among the hosts is that Musk's attempt to enforce corporate-style scrutiny within a governmental context is both ineffective and counterproductive, potentially breeding more resentment and dysfunction rather than achieving any meaningful reform.

Notable Quotes

• Sam Stein [02:17]: "He's trying to find out who's working for the government, are we paying other people that aren't working? And you know, where is all that? Where's the money going?"

• Lauren Egan [05:25]: "I feel like we're seeing that like anyone who has worked in the federal government just knows how big of a bureaucracy is and how like these middle managers are going to try and protect their teams to the extent they can."

• Tim Miller [06:33]: "It's a shit show. They're going to get overturned in court. They've already been overturned in court."

• Sam Stein [07:52]: "I want him to come up with innovative ways to make people miserable. There's got to be other ways to do it."

Conclusion

The episode of Bulwark Takes provides a critical examination of Elon Musk's controversial email to the DOGE team, highlighting the internal resistance within government agencies, the strained dynamics between Musk and political figures like Trump, and the broader challenges of imposing corporate practices on governmental structures. Through insightful dialogue and sharp analysis, the hosts underscore the complexities and potential pitfalls of such interventions, painting a picture of a government grappling with external pressures and internal rigidity.

For those interested in the intersection of technology, politics, and government operations, this episode offers a nuanced perspective on how individual actions can ripple through established institutions, often with unforeseen consequences.

For more analyses and discussions on current events, stay tuned to The Bulwark's "Bulwark Takes." Visit thebulwark.com for additional content and insights.