Elon Musk’s loyal team members have quietly infiltrated the General Services Administration (GSA), a critical government agency overseeing federal offices and technology, raising alarms over potential conflicts of interest and security risks. A group of individuals, some of whom were instrumental in Musk’s Twitter takeover, have now assumed key roles at GSA. This includes figures like Nicole Hollander, who helped manage real estate at Twitter, and Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla software engineer now overseeing GSA’s Technology Transformation Services.
Internal documents obtained by WIRED reveal that these new appointees are aggressively pushing Musk’s agenda to slash government spending and overhaul the GSA’s operations, mirroring strategies previously employed at Musk’s other ventures. One of the most significant targets is the GSA’s real estate portfolio, with plans to reduce spending by hundreds of millions of dollars. Some properties are already slated for sale, and several leases have been terminated.
Additionally, Musk’s team is deploying new AI software and seeking broader access to GSA systems, including sensitive data such as vendor payments and procurement records. There are concerns that these individuals, many of whom are not traditional government employees, could use their elevated access to engage in surveillance or other activities that might compromise federal security.
GSA’s new leadership has also initiated a controversial “deferred resignation” program, encouraging federal workers to leave for the private sector with assurances of continued pay and benefits until September 30. Critics, however, fear that the program could be a strategy to reduce government headcount without formal layoffs. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has expressed concerns about the legality of the program and whether the administration will honor its promises.
While Musk’s team insists their efforts are aimed at improving government efficiency, many GSA employees view the changes as a hostile takeover that prioritizes corporate interests over public service. With unprecedented access to government systems and a growing influence within the federal government, the long-term impact of Musk’s intervention at the GSA remains uncertain.
