Elon Musk’s X Becomes Weapon in Government Cost Cutting

The New York Times ^ | Feb. 4, 2025 Updated 3:28 p.m. ET | Kate Conger

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The billionaire has used the social media site to boast of victories, lash out at enemies and conduct polls for the initiative he calls the Department of Government Efficiency.

As Elon Musk digs into the federal bureaucracy in his crusade to slash government spending, he has a tool that no aspiring cost-cutter has had before: his own giant social media platform to debate, shame and bludgeon anyone who stands in his way.

Since the inauguration, Mr. Musk has attacked journalists and X users for posting the names of people working with him, calling it “a crime.” He’s accused Treasury Department officials of “breaking the law every hour of every day.” And Mr. Musk has mocked Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, as “hysterical.”

On Monday, Mr. Musk celebrated his progress, posting he had fed the U.S. Agency for International Development, the government’s lead agency for humanitarian aid, “into the wood chipper.”

And on Tuesday, Mr. Musk began a poll on X: “Would you like DOGE to audit the IRS?”

The comments show how Mr. Musk, who unlike traditional government figures rarely holds news conferences or speaks to reporters, is using his social media site as a powerful tool to promote his goals as part of the Trump administration. Since the inauguration, Mr. Musk has unleashed a barrage of posts to his more than 215 million followers, promoting conspiratorial rumors about his adversaries, pressuring senators to confirm the president’s cabinet picks and weighing in on foreign elections.

On top of that, Mr. Musk’s account is becoming one of the few sources for information about the billionaire’s secretive stampede to slash the federal budget, an initiative he calls the Department of Government Efficiency.

[PMAS]

Boy are they mad about the USAID funding, can’t wait to see what’s next

[Biblebelter]

The REAL X Factor.

Thank you, Elon.

[AndyJackson]

Well it took him a long time to get these various fedgov cutouts funding streams out of his business. He should be pi$$ed.

[Vision]

The NYT’s is mad they aren't the only one who can do this anymore.

[ridesthemiles]

IMO—— MUSK IS OUR “JOHN GALT”.

[alternatives?]

The NY Times has been a weapon for government growth for years.

[MNJohnnie]

Just like the NY Slimes, the Wash Poop, the LA Slimes and all the alphabet broadcast networks are a weapons in the Government corruption and incompetence cover ups

[Magic Fingers]

“...Mr. Musk, who unlike traditional government figures rarely holds news conferences or speaks to reporters...”

He holds more news conferences and talks to the press far more than The Vegetable In Chief ever did.

[heavy metal]

paging wildcard_redneck and grey_whiskers...

paging wildcard_redneck and grey_whiskers...

paging wildcard_redneck and grey_whiskers...

please answer the trump was right again courtesy call...

[SmokingJoe]

X is a very powerful tool.
Musk having 215 million followers on X makes Musk very powerful.
Being the world’s richest with a record over $400 Billion net worth makes him very powerful.

[grey_whiskers]

Would you like @DOGE to audit the IRS?— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 4, 2025

[MotorCityBuck]

“A weapon”
Oh. Now that’s Scary 😱

[KarlInOhio]

Elon Musk’s X Becomes Weapon in Government Cost Cutting

Can we get Pat Benatar to sing in support of these government programs: X as a Weapon?

Of course, Musk could then just start deorbiting SpaceX satellite and landing Falson rocket on the buildings for the misbehaving organizations. Maybe have the The Boring Company just dig a sinkhole underneath them too. Make Washington look like the final scenes of Paint Your Wagon.

[libertylover]

Has he shut down anyone from posting their opinion as was done before Musk bought it?

[ViLaLuz]

Ooooh a dangerous weapon. But it was OK when the neo-Marxists ran it.

[BobL]

“IMO—— MUSK IS OUR “JOHN GALT”.”

I was always wondering who he was...and that makes sense, thanks for the info.

[John Milner]

I prefer “scalpel” over “weapon.”

Of course the Ultra-Lib-Commie NY Times can’t help themselves when it comes to sensationalizing any action a conservative takes to fix their idiocy and grifting.

[RandallFlagg]

IMO—— MUSK IS OUR “JOHN GALT”.

Not really accurate.
Galt got sick of the state looting the minds of people who created things and refused to participate. Quit, then ran off to create his own world, while inviting other creators to join him and do the same. He then allowed the state to self destruct -knowing it would eventually happen.

Musk isn't patient enough to wait for the state to destroy itself. So, he's expediting it.
And it's a beautiful thing.

I just sat here to try to come up with a Musk metaphor.
Couldn't do it.
Godzilla? No.
A dentist? No.
I've got nothing.