Part 3/8:
Katie Drummond, the global editorial director at Wired, described the situation as “chaos,” pointing out that the unpredictability surrounding Musk's demands has left many federal employees in a state of confusion. There has been widespread panic about job security, with many questioning the authority of Musk—an unelected billionaire—to impose such an ultimatum.
Musk described the email as a "very basic pulse check," invoking a provocative suggestion that there might be "dead people on the government payroll." Such comments contribute to a narrative catering to conspiracy theories that suggest federal positions are occupied by non-existent individuals. This narrative appears aimed at resonating with a specific base that thrives on outrageous claims and misinformation.