Donkey of the Day: Elon Musk & DOGE Tell Federal Workers To Justify Their Work Or Resign

Podcast: Donkey of the Day (Power 105.1 FM – WWPR-FM)
Host: Charlamagne Tha God
Date: February 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne Tha God awards the infamous "Donkey of the Day" to Elon Musk, spotlighting Musk’s increasingly controversial involvement in federal government operations under the Trump administration. The central focus is Musk’s directive that federal workers must justify their recent work or face termination, a demand that’s ignited confusion, outrage, and pushback within federal agencies and the public.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who’s in Charge? Musk’s Unprecedented Influence

• Charlamagne questions why Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire and immigrant from South Africa, is wielding outsized influence over American governance and policy.
  • “For some reason, this man is in control of how the government spends this money.” [02:18]
• Context: As part of the Trump administration’s effort to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce, over 12,000 federal workers have reportedly been fired, including critical personnel managing nuclear security and pandemic response.

2. The Sudden Federal Worker Purge

• The administration’s indiscriminate firing campaign includes essential workers in national security and public health.
  • “They fired hundreds of employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration... Their dismissal could jeopardize national security.” [03:16]
• When they realized the risks, attempts were made to rehire some of these workers, showcasing the recklessness and confusion within those decisions.

3. The "What Did You Do Last Week?" Email

• Federal employees reportedly received an urgent email from the Office of Personnel Management, allegedly prompted by Musk, demanding they list five things they accomplished in the past week. Failure to do so is treated as voluntary resignation.
  • “Elon Musk suggested that workers could lose their jobs if they didn't respond to an email blast... asking for a list of five things they did in the past week.” [04:22]

4. Pushback from Federal Leadership

• High-ranking officials, including Tulsi Gabbard (U.S. Director of National Intelligence), Cash Patel (FBI Director), Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Pete Hegseth (Secretary of Defense), and Kristi Noem (DHS Chief) actively told their employees to ignore Musk’s directive.
  • “They've all told employees to disregard that email. Because at some point, someone with some sense has to reject the oligarchy, all right? The billionaires don't run America.” [06:39]

5. Musk’s Disdain for Bureaucracy & Working People

• Musk publicly mused about federal workers, implying most are unproductive:
  • “He was just eager to see who had a pulse and two working neurons amid the claims that some government employees are barely working or checking their emails.” [08:42]

6. The Oligarchy & The State of American Democracy

• Charlamagne frames this episode as a cautionary tale about American democracy slipping into oligarchy.
  • “We are post America, okay? We are post Constitution. This isn't about Republican or Democrat. This is about democracy and no democracy.” [09:44]
• He questions who really holds power—the President or the billionaire CEO—making a tongue-in-cheek comparison to music industry power dynamics.
  • “Elon and Trump are giving record label owner, artist vibes... you can clearly see who’s in charge.” [08:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Absurdity and Danger:

“You can't just cut people's jobs indiscriminately, okay? For example, they fired hundreds of employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration... then realized, wait, we need these people.”
— Charlamagne [03:05]

On Pushback Within the Government:

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hef, and Department of Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem, they've all told employees to disregard that email.”
— Charlamagne [06:39]

On the Threat to Democracy:

“We are post America... This isn't about Republican or Democrat. This is about democracy and no democracy.”
— Charlamagne [09:44]

On Who’s Really President:

“At every press briefing, the question should be: Who is the real President of the United States of America? Because we know who it is on paper, but who's really calling the shots?”
— Charlamagne [07:53]

The Big Payoff:

“Please give the oligarch in chief, Elon Musk, the biggest hee haw.”
— Charlamagne [10:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:18: Charlamagne raises alarm about Musk’s governmental influence.
• 03:05 – 03:16: On the chaos and dangers of mass firing in government.
• 04:22: Musk’s email demand to federal workers.
• 06:39: Leaders instruct workers to ignore Musk’s directive.
• 08:01: Analogy comparing Musk/Trump to record label boss/artist.
• 08:42: Musk’s disparaging remarks about federal employees.
• 09:44: Reflection on post-democratic America.
• 10:35: Delivery of the “Biggest Hee Haw” to Musk.

Tone and Language

Charlamagne’s tone is incredulous, sarcastic, and critical—layered with his trademark humor, cultural references, and a deep concern for democratic norms. He frequently uses metaphors from music and pop culture to drive home points about authority, control, and the absurdity of the situation.

Summary Takeaway

Charlamagne delivers a blistering critique of Elon Musk’s overreach into government operations, warning about the erosion of democratic processes and unchecked power of billionaire outsiders. The episode is both a satirical and sobering snapshot of contemporary political dysfunction—and a call to recognize the threat of oligarchy over working-class interests.