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Trump mocks federal workers with Spongebob meme amid outcry over Musk's email

Donald Trump used a SpongeBob meme to mock federal workers after Elon Musk's email demanding they list their accomplishments.

Published on: Feb 24, 2025, 18:27:17 IST
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Donald Trump took a swipe at federal workers with a SpongeBob meme following an outcry over Elon Musk's email. Over the weekend, the Tesla CEO demanded federal employees explain what they did at work. As the move sparked outrage online, the president mocked the critics with a Truth Social post on Sunday.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk during a rally the day before Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2025. (REUTERS)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk during a rally the day before Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2025. (REUTERS)

Trump shares SpongeBob meme amid outrage over Elon Musk's email to federal employees

The commander-in-chief's meme shows the popular Nickelodeon character deep in thought, scratching his head while holding a notepad, while his friend, Patrick Star, held a list titled “Got Done Last Week.” The edited contents of the list read, “cried about Trump,” “cried about Elon,” “made it to the office for once,” “read some emails,” and “cried about Trump and Elon some more.”

Trump's meme came after Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had an email sent out by the Office of Personnel Management, asking federal employees to list five accomplishments by 11:59 pm Monday, reported New York Post. The SpaceX founder reposted the meme on his X account and a separate tweet, calling the email, “A very basic pulse check.”

Before the email was sent out, Musk wrote on X, “Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week,” referring to Trump's suggestion to him about being “more aggressive.” “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation,” he added in the post shared on Saturday.

Musk's move drew mixed responses, with the American Federation of Government Employees criticising the email in a letter to the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, Charles Ezell, per the outlet. “We believe that employees have no obligation to respond to this unlawful email absent other lawful direction,” wrote AFGE National President Everett Kelley.

  • Arya Vaishnavi
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Arya Vaishnavi

    Arya Vaishnavi is a journalist at Hindustan Times. She covers a wide array of topics, from world news to the entertainment industry and everything in between. In addition to news articles, she creates captivating photo galleries. Having covered both US and Indian elections, she is an experienced political news writer. Outside of work, you are most likely to find her meditating, lifting weights, or reading books.Read More

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