Elon Musk’s DOGE: 120-Hour Workweeks ‘Till You Drop Or Get Dropped!
Musk’s ‘Superpower’ Work Culture Shakes Up Washington—Brilliant Reform or Recipe for Disaster?

US head of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk is again in the headlines to justify the tough 120-hour workweeks reportedly endured by agency employees. The billionaire responded to criticism by posting on X recently: “DOGE is working 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast.”
The statement responded to an X user praising DOGE’s swift actions in exposing “massive waste, fraud, and abuse of our tax dollars in the first two weeks.” However, while some praise Musk for his role in revolutionizing government efficiency, many have questioned the employee well-being and possible manifestations of such extreme work expectations.
DOGE: A Disruptor in Government Efficiency
Led by US President Donald Trump, he appointed Musk as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency to disrupt inefficiency and corruption in government spending through DOGE. The mission is to simplify operations, eliminate waste, and reduce unneeded federal expenditures.
From its inception, DOGE has carried out broad audits and unearthed large chunks of money spent callously, occasioning large portions of budget cutting in the various agencies. Its method, however, has also been shrouded in controversy since it drew much criticism; some branded its approach as overtly political, thus jeopardizing significant services offered by the government.

Despite the outrage, Elon Musk seems relatively unmoved as he believes in efficiency. As he once again posted in his X post, “Very few in the bureaucracy work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for two days. Working the weekend is a superpower.”
Workplace Debate: The Overworking Extreme Culture
Labour unions and government watchdog groups have already criticized the working conditions at the agency as DOGE continues to pursue efficiency aggressively. Employees are reported to be under severe pressure, unrealistically high-performance expectations, and potential burnout.
Organizations that promote workers’ rights have argued that a 120-hour workweek leaves little time for a healthy work-life balance. Many have argued that such extreme expectations can negatively affect employees’ mental and physical health.
However, Musk has no word for such fears. He is known to have supported long working hours. For instance, he and other Tesla and SpaceX leaders used to work long hours, similar to DOGE’s employees. He said the DOGE culture was the best as it enabled it to do more in a much shorter time than other traditional bureaucrats.
DOGE’s Strategy Compares to ‘The Manhattan Project
Despite the criticism, DOGE stands firm on its approach: It aims to tear down bureaucracy and reform regulatory systems that Musk thinks are inefficient. The department’s working culture has been described as akin to “The Manhattan Project,” the secret World War II initiative to develop the first nuclear weapons.

They believe that this is no less a mission than the Manhattan Project. They think that efficiency in government offices is a ‘sine qua non’ for the nation’s economic growth, safety, and long-term prosperity. One of the questions surrounding this venture is whether this highly imperative, large-scale structural change requires ‘haste without adequate oversight of unintended consequences’.
The Political Tensions Surrounding DOG
The political pressure building around the department’s work will increase, given that DOGE’s mission is scheduled to conclude on July 4, 2026, commemorating the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary. While the White House and Office of Management & Budget will not retreat from Musk’s vision of a smaller, more efficient government, Congressional Democrats will continue to mount opposition.
Several Democratic lawmakers have called for oversight hearings to examine DOGE’s conduct. They claim that the department’s aggressive measures may severely disrupt the normal functions and services the government offers millions of Americans. Some even suggested that Musk’s leadership style would be better for the private sector than public governance.
Adding fuel to the fire, labour unions representing federal employees are proposing litigation against DOGE, which could be seen as a potential breach of labour laws. If the lawsuit is successful, the agency might reconsider its work policy and clamp down on extreme hours, which Musk promotes.
A Future’s Visions or Recipe for Disaster?
As the battle over DOGE’s operations heats up, Elon Musk’s leadership highlights more significant issues with style and work culture. Are the 120-hour workweeks necessary sacrifices toward eliminating government inefficiency, or are they a threat to the principles of workplace expectation in public service?

Supporters argue that the government needs someone like Musk’s bold approach to ending decades of bureaucratic stagnation. They point out that this system is littered with inefficiencies that run into billions of dollars every year, and they believe that the only way DOGE can work to enact real reform is through its no-nonsense strategy.
Critics say that such a high-pressure policy would scare the agency’s brightest employees away, depress morale, and ultimately derail the agency’s very long-term aims. Sustainable efficiency, they said, requires planning, proper protections for workers, and a reasonable balance between worker production and satisfaction.
Conclusion: The Future of DOGE and Elon Musk
The next several months will determine whether the DOGE mission has a chance to succeed or fail. If he delivers tangible and real success without undue harm to his workforce, his model can work for future government reforms. However, if the extreme work culture leads to burnout, resignations, or even legal challenges, this project may experience significant setbacks.
For now, Musk is unfazed and keeps pushing his vision of a government agency operating at the intensity and efficiency of the most successful tech company. Whether that vision ends in a more streamlined government or becomes a cautionary tale about overreach is left to the future.
One thing is sure: as long as Musk remains at the helm of DOGE, the agency will continue to be the centre of controversy, debate, and high-stakes political drama.