Elon Musk's 'Five Things' email program shut down by Trump administration: What was the controversial project that sparked panic among federal employees?

In a move signaling shifting priorities within the White House, the Trump administration has officially ended Elon Musk ’s controversial “Five Things” email program, which required federal employees to report five weekly accomplishments to their supervisors. The initiative, launched in February 2025 by Musk during his stint as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, aimed to instill greater accountability and productivity across the federal workforce. However, the program drew backlash for its abrupt rollout and lack of clarity, ultimately becoming one of the most unpopular internal mandates in recent memory.


What was the “Five Things” program introduced by Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s “Five Things” email program was launched in February 2025 as a radical effort to increase productivity and accountability in the federal workforce. Modeled after Musk’s practices at Tesla and SpaceX, it required every government employee to email their supervisor five specific accomplishments each week. The goal was to instill a results-driven culture in traditionally slow-moving government departments, using individual weekly reporting to track performance and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency.

While the concept was praised by some for its simplicity and focus, it quickly became controversial. Many agencies were confused about how to define “accomplishment,” and employees in collaborative or policy-oriented roles felt the system didn’t reflect their work. The program’s rollout, issued abruptly via a weekend email without advance notice, sparked frustration and inconsistent compliance. Though it aimed to transform government operations, the program ultimately became one of Musk’s most unpopular initiatives during his brief stint overseeing efficiency reforms.


Why did the Trump administration kill the program?

According to officials, compliance across agencies quickly fell apart due to vague guidance, inconsistent enforcement, and internal confusion. Many HR leaders reported being blindsided by the program's sudden launch, which arrived via a weekend email. Over time, departments informally dropped the practice, and employee pushback mounted. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) decided to formally shut down the mandate following Musk’s departure from the administration in May 2025.

Elon Musk had maintained a close advisory role in Trump’s second administration, particularly on streamlining government operations. However, the relationship soured in June 2025 after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s tax and spending bill. In retaliation, Trump pulled the nomination of Musk’s ally Jared Isaacman as NASA chief and threatened to cancel several federal contracts with Musk’s companies.


Fallout and what’s next for federal workers
With the “Five Things” program officially dead, federal employees are no longer required to submit weekly performance summaries. The decision has been met with relief by many government workers who found the program burdensome and vague. It also signals a broader shift in the administration's approach to workplace oversight—potentially moving away from tech-driven performance tools.

While Musk's tenure in government was short-lived, his impact remains controversial. The “Five Things” initiative, though unsuccessful, highlighted his desire to inject Silicon Valley culture into federal operations. Now, with the initiative scrapped and tensions between Musk and Trump rising, his influence in Washington appears to be rapidly waning.