Wozniak Slams Musk's 'Sledgehammer' Approach to Government Layoffs

As an investor and tech enthusiast, I've always admired the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley. However, recent developments in the relationship between tech and government have left me concerned, particularly when it comes to Elon Musk's approach to government layoffs through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak recently blasted Musk's 'ledgehammer' approach, and I couldn't agree more with his perspective.



Wozniak, who played a pivotal role in launching the personal computing revolution, shared his views on tech leaders like Musk entering government roles at the Mobile World Congress. He expressed concern about the differences between the skills required in politics and those needed in technology. "I think that the skills required in politics are very different to those skills needed in technology companies," Wozniak said. While he acknowledged that running a government like a business could be beneficial, he expressed skepticism regarding Musk's approach in his role leading DOGE.

Musk's tendency to "wipe the slate clean and start fresh" has raised eyebrows, as it creates an environment of unpredictability and uncertainty. This approach can have significant impacts on the stability and predictability of the companies and sectors affected, potentially influencing investment decisions. As Wozniak noted, "DOGE appears to be moving in no sort of predictable and orderly fashion" (Chutkan, 2025).