Elon Musk Gives Federal Workers New Deadline To Justify Jobs: DOGE Updates

Elon Musk has given federal workers a second chance to justify their jobs after his initial directive sparked confusion and resistance across multiple agencies. The billionaire, who leads the White House's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), warned that failure to comply could result in termination.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Musk shared: "Subject to the discretion of the President, they will be given another chance.

"Failure to respond a second time will result in termination."

What to Know:

• Musk initially set a Monday night deadline for all federal employees to submit a list of recent accomplishments.
• Several agencies, including the Justice Department and the Pentagon, told employees to disregard the directive. Others, like the Education and Transportation Departments, advised compliance.
• Musk said the email "was basically a check to see if the employee had a pulse and was capable of replying to an email."
• Trump backed the move, calling it "ingenious" for revealing whether workers were actively contributing.
• The American Federation of Government Employees vowed to fight any unlawful terminations.
• Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern, urging Musk to consider the impact on federal workers.
• Legal challenges have been filed, with mixed results in court so far.

Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.

07:31 AM EST

A Trump administration move to suspend WHO funding halts $46 million for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks after signing an executive order on reciprocal tariffs in the Oval Office at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

A decision by the Trump administration to freeze funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) has put $46 million earmarked for Gaza on hold, a WHO official said Tuesday.

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative for Occupied Palestinian Territories, said the funding suspension would impact six key areas, including Emergency Medical Teams, health facility rehabilitation, medical evacuations, and coordination with partner organizations.

07:19 AM EST

Nearly 40% of Elon Musk's DOGE cuts not expected to save any money

The Donald Trump administration's push to slash federal contracts as part of its cost-cutting initiative may not yield the savings officials have touted, according to newly released government data.

Nearly 40 percent of the contracts canceled so far by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, are expected to result in no financial benefit to the government, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the program.

Newsweek has contacted DOGE via X, formerly Twitter, for comment.

Trump has consistently supported and praised Musk's efforts, stating in a recent Fox News interview alongside the multibillionaire that the cost-cutting measures undertaken by DOGE could be the most significant achievement of Musk's career, surpassing his work with companies like Tesla and SpaceX.

Additionally, Trump and Musk have discussed the possibility of allocating a portion of the savings achieved by DOGE directly to American citizens. The president has indicated that the administration is considering a plan where 20 percent of the savings would be distributed as dividends to the public, while another 20 percent would go toward reducing the national debt.

Read the full story by Daniel Orton on Newsweek.