Steve Wozniak slams Elon Musk's mass firings and cult-like leadership

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has publicly criticized Elon Musk's approach to mass firings, expressing concern over the potential chaos and lack of respect for crucial roles within government agencies. Wozniak, known for his innovative contributions to Apple, believes that Musk's slash-and-burn strategy is not the best way to address government inefficiencies. He argues that a more systematic and careful approach is necessary to ensure the stability of vital systems.

Wozniak's criticism extends beyond Musk's business tactics. He has compared Musk to a cult leader, asserting that the Tesla CEO craves unquestioning obedience from his followers. This stark shift from the early hype around Tesla and its CEO has raised concerns about Musk's leadership style and his relentless quest for power. Wozniak believes that Musk's wealth and success have gone to his head, turning him into a domineering figure who demands unwavering devotion.

Wozniak's unease with Musk's approach is not limited to his business practices. He has also criticized Musk's and Donald Trump's bullying tactics, which he believes are detrimental to the functioning of government structures. Wozniak warns that hasty approaches to dismantling these structures risk crippling the backbone that keeps vital systems running. He advocates for a more surgical approach to cost-cutting, using a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer.

Wozniak's criticism of Musk is not new. In 2023, he accused Musk and Tesla of robbing his family of money over false claims about the EV company's self-driving technology. Wozniak and his wife spent $50,000 on a vehicle upgrade with eight cameras and more sensors, which Musk promised would allow it to drive coast to coast without driver intervention by the end of 2017. However, Wozniak has stated that the car's self-driving abilities are still far from what Musk promised, describing the experience as "horrible" and "frightening."

Wozniak's concerns about Musk's leadership style and his approach to government layoffs highlight the need for a more thoughtful and systematic approach to addressing inefficiencies. His criticism serves as a reminder that while innovation and success are important, they should not come at the cost of stability and respect for crucial roles within society.