Steve Wozniak criticizes Musk's approach to US government cuts
What's the story
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has publicly slammed the mass layoffs and budget cuts introduced by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Speaking at a tech conference, Wozniak said that while cutting down government inefficiencies is important, DOGE's sweeping cuts aren't the answer. He proposed that reforms should be done with precision, not a broad brush.
Reform strategy
Wozniak advocates for targeted reforms
Wozniak's comments come in response to DOGE, an initiative launched by former US President Donald Trump, aimed at streamlining federal agencies and reducing administrative costs. Wozniak suggested that these reforms should be executed "more surgically, with a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer." This statement underscores his belief in the need for careful and strategic changes rather than broad cuts.
Accusations
Trump and Musk accused of 'bullying'
Along with slamming DOGE's approach, Wozniak also accused both Trump and Musk of "bullying." He leveled the charge against them for their treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the US government's handling of Ukraine. "Elon Musk, I don't know what got into his head," Wozniak said. He added that "sometimes you get so rich at these big companies, and you're on top—it goes to your head."
Social media ban
Wozniak's social media ban and Tesla concerns
Wozniak also hinted that he may have been banned from X, after he publicly raised concerns about Tesla's vehicle quality. "Maybe it's because I was on the wrong side of Elon," he said, referring to Musk. Despite not violating any platform rules, Wozniak's account has been dormant for months. The Apple co-founder has criticized Tesla's direction and raised safety concerns about its Full Self-Driving and Autopilot features.