Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, noted that employees in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) he leads receive death threats every day.
Reuters reported that Musk expressed gratitude to the team members of the Department of Government Efficiency during a cabinet meeting held at the White House on the 24th (local time), stating, "I appreciate the team members who receive daily threats for trying to do the right thing for American taxpayers and the nation."
Under Musk's leadership, the Department of Government Efficiency is implementing federal government staff and budget reductions. Protests against Musk have erupted in various places due to the strong budget-cutting stance. Arson against Tesla vehicles has also occurred in the U.S. and other parts of the globe. In Europe and elsewhere, there are analyses suggesting that Tesla's sales have plummeted, permanently damaging the brand's value.
Despite the backlash, Musk remains committed to continuing the existing policy direction. On the same day, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Musk at the meeting, stating, "The efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce will reach an appropriate level within the next 2 to 3 months," adding, "Removing excess fat is bound to be unpopular."