Uncanny Valley | WIRED
Why Elon Musk Has Wanted the Government Shutdown
Mar 12, 2025
Leah Feiger, Senior Editor at WIRED, and Emily Mullin, a WIRED reporter covering health misinformation, explore the unexpected reasons behind Elon Musk's support for a government shutdown. They delve into the potential fallout for federal employees and the intriguing political dynamics involved. Transitioning to health, they discuss the concerning rise in measles cases in the U.S., fueled by misinformation, stressing the urgent need for vaccinations and community education to prevent outbreaks.
23:35
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Quick takeaways
- Elon Musk's support for a government shutdown stems from his desire to reduce federal workforce size, contrasting with Trump's opposition.
- The ongoing measles outbreak emphasizes the urgent need to counter misinformation that undermines vaccination efforts and public health.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's Unexpected Desire for a Government Shutdown
Elon Musk has expressed a surprising interest in a potential government shutdown, which contradicts the public stance of former President Trump, who is advocating for a continuing resolution to avoid such an event. Musk views the shutdown as an opportunity to facilitate the layoff of federal employees, significantly reducing the workforce in government agencies. If a shutdown occurs and lasts beyond 30 days, furloughed employees would be subject to reduction in force procedures, enabling the elimination of their positions. This situation raises concerns about the repercussions of a shutdown on critical services and the job security of hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
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