SpaceX fires employees reportedly involved in company-wide letter critical of CEO Elon Musk’s leadership.

A Growing Concern Over Elon Musk’s Twitter Use

SpaceX has swiftly taken action against employees involved in circulating an open letter within the company’s internal communication system. The move comes as a response to the open letter, which criticized Elon Musk’s Twitter use and its impact on the company.

The Open Letter: A Call for Action

The open letter was circulated among SpaceX employees across various departments and levels of seniority. It called for greater transparency in addressing Elon Musk’s Twitter behavior, which many saw as a reflection of the company’s values. The letter also requested that leadership define clear policies regarding acceptable employee conduct.

Gwynne Shotwell’s Response: A Critique of Activism

In response to the open letter, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell circulated an email outlining her views on the matter. She described the letter as "overreaching activism" and criticized its use of company resources during work hours.

Shotwell emphasized that employees should focus on their critical work rather than engaging in activities that may be perceived as divisive or uncomfortable for others.

Key Excerpts from Shotwell’s Email

• Overreaching Activism: "We have too much critical work to accomplish and no need for this kind of overreaching activism."
• Unsolicited Emails: "Blanketing thousands of people across the company with repeated unsolicited emails and asking them to sign letters and fill out unsponsored surveys during the work day is not acceptable."
• Focus on the Mission: "Please stay focused on the SpaceX mission, and use your time to do your best work. This is how we will get to Mars."

The Controversy Surrounding Elon Musk’s Twitter Use

Elon Musk’s Twitter behavior has been a subject of controversy in recent times. The open letter highlighted concerns over his tweets, which some saw as detrimental to the company’s image and values.

Musk’s Twitter use has sparked debate among employees, with some calling for greater transparency and accountability from leadership.

Twitter’s Involvement

This week also saw Elon Musk hosting an all-hands Q&A at Twitter. Despite his public disagreements with Twitter’s leadership over bot numbers on the platform, Musk expressed his desire to be involved in product development.

The move has sparked speculation about the potential implications of Musk’s increased involvement in Twitter’s operations.

Implications for SpaceX and Twitter

The events unfolding at SpaceX and Twitter may have significant implications for both companies. The swift termination of employees involved in the open letter could set a precedent for addressing internal dissent.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s growing influence on Twitter’s product development may reshape the platform’s future direction.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s Twitter use has sparked a chain reaction within SpaceX and beyond. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact both companies and their employees.