Woman Likens Replying to DOGE Mail to "Living in North Korea"; Elon Musk Responds

A federal employee has compared replying to an email from Elon Musk to the experience of "living in North Korea," sparking a heated debate about workplace control and power dynamics. The email in question, sent under the subject “What did you do last week?”, was reportedly part of Musk’s initiative to assess employee productivity in government agencies under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The move, however, has triggered anxiety and backlash, with employees questioning Musk’s authority over federal operations.

Employee Speaks Out: "It Felt Like an Exercise in Power"

In a widely circulated video, a female federal employee expressed her frustration and concern over the email, describing the pressure she felt while drafting a response.

“The feeling of absolute existential dread that I felt typing out a response to that email is something that I wish I could convey to everyone. It felt like a glimpse into the reality they are trying to create, and it was terrifying,” she said. “It felt like you would do what I say—or else.”

She further noted that while the email itself did not explicitly threaten job termination, a post on Musk’s social media platform, X, suggested that failure to respond could be interpreted as a resignation.

“Leadership at my agency said the email was authentic, but they weren’t sure if the threat was real. They left it up to us to decide whether to reply,” she added.

The employee criticized Musk’s involvement in government operations, saying:

“This whole thing is an exercise to show us how much power they have and how little we have. And it’s insane. Who is Elon Musk, and how does he get to decide that he’s the king of federal employees?”

Comparisons to North Korea and the Impact on Careers

Drawing a controversial comparison, she likened the situation to living under a dictatorship.

“It felt much like what I always imagined North Korea to be like—where the energy is, ‘Yes, master. Your wish is my command,’” she said.

She also voiced concerns about lifelong federal employees losing autonomy over their work.

“These are people who have spent years, even decades, building their careers. Now, people with no expertise outside of tech are making decisions that could take all of that away.”

Elon Musk Responds: "Out of Touch with Reality"

As the video gained traction, Musk responded by sharing a 2023 BBC report about starvation in North Korea. The article detailed harrowing conditions faced by citizens in the isolated nation.

"Out of touch with reality, to say the least," Musk wrote, suggesting that the comparison was an exaggeration.

Trump’s Cabinet Meeting and the Push for Efficiency

The controversy comes just days after Musk attended President Donald Trump’s first Cabinet meeting of his second term. During the meeting, Musk reportedly stated that he sent the email following Trump’s directive to “be more aggressive” in improving efficiency within government institutions.

The backlash over Musk’s email highlights ongoing tensions between technology leaders and government employees amid efforts to reform public sector efficiency. Whether the administration will address concerns raised by federal workers remains to be seen.