Musk Issues Ultimatum: Explain Last Week's Actions Or Face Job Losses

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Post on Feb 24, 2025

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Musk Issues Ultimatum: Explain Last Week's Actions or Face Job Losses

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – October 26, 2023 – Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), issued a stark ultimatum to employees late Tuesday: explain their actions from the previous week or face immediate termination. The sweeping directive, delivered via internal email and confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the matter, followed a week of significant internal turmoil at the social media platform. While the exact nature of the "actions" remains unclear, sources suggest the ultimatum targets employees perceived as insufficiently productive or those who may have leaked sensitive information.

The email, according to sources who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal, contained no specific examples of unacceptable behavior but emphasized a need for increased transparency and accountability. Musk reportedly stressed the urgency of the situation, implying that employees needed to justify their contributions within a very short timeframe. This aggressive move follows a series of controversial decisions made by Musk since his acquisition of Twitter last year, including mass layoffs, changes to content moderation policies, and the implementation of a new subscription model for verification.

This latest ultimatum underscores a growing sense of unease within X. Multiple reports in recent weeks have detailed a chaotic work environment characterized by long hours, intense pressure, and a lack of clear direction. Employees have reportedly been working under intense pressure to meet Musk's ambitious targets and deadlines, leading to high levels of burnout and attrition. The ultimatum serves as the latest escalation in what has been a tumultuous period for the company.

Sources indicate that the ultimatum primarily impacts employees in the engineering and product development departments, though its reach may extend further. This latest move is likely to exacerbate the already significant talent drain at X. Many highly skilled engineers and software developers have left the company since Musk’s takeover, citing concerns about working conditions, instability, and Musk’s unpredictable management style. The potential loss of more employees could severely hamper X's ability to innovate and maintain its services.

The lack of specific details surrounding the ultimatum’s rationale has fueled speculation. Some believe the move is a direct response to recent negative press surrounding the platform, including reports of declining ad revenue and technical issues. Others suggest it's a further attempt by Musk to consolidate power and eliminate those he perceives as disloyal or insufficiently aligned with his vision.

Regardless of the motivation, the ultimatum is likely to have significant consequences for X. The potential loss of even more skilled employees could cripple the platform's ability to compete with rivals like Meta's Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok. Industry analysts are already predicting further instability and a decline in service quality. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the full extent of the impact of Musk's latest drastic measure. This situation will continue to be monitored closely as more information becomes available.