'You are not my boss': U.S. Senator takes on Elon Musk amid ultimatum to federal workers

Elon Musk has issued a stern message to U.S. federal employees, demanding they justify their jobs or risk being laid off.

However, the ultimatum has not been well received by many, including Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, who took to X to slam Musk.

"@ElonMusk, I hate to break it to you, but you aren't my boss. I answer to the people of Minnesota. But since you bring it up, I spent last week fighting to stop tax breaks for billionaires like you, paid for by defunding health care for moms and babies," Smith wrote.



She was responding to Musk’s post on X, where he asked, "What did you get done this week?"

In another tweet, she added, "They’re letting a megalomaniac billionaire desperate for validation play President – if you’re surprised people are pissed, you need to get out of your DC bubble. Nothing is more American than hating a bad boss, especially an illegitimate one like Musk. Republicans just don’t like being called out on it."

The senator also noted that "people are mad."

"In the name of ‘efficiency,’ Musk is firing park rangers and cancer researchers and defunding Medicare and Medicaid—all to find money for tax breaks for himself and big corporations. Of course, people get upset when you take their health care to help rich people who don’t even need it," she posted on X.

Musk initially gave about 2.3 million U.S. federal workers a Monday deadline to respond. On Tuesday, he extended the deadline, despite the fact that several government departments—such as the Kash Patel-led FBI—had instructed their staff not to comply.

Nonetheless, U.S. President Donald Trump has praised Musk’s efforts on Truth Social, encouraging him to take bolder actions.

"Elon is doing a great job, but I would like to see him get more aggressive. Remember, we have a country to save—but ultimately, to make greater than ever before. MAGA!" Trump wrote.