FirstFT: Elon Musk’s war on management consultants

Also in today’s newsletter, Trump hands carmakers reprieve from tariffs and can Europe’s defence groups step up?

Topics

Elon Musk’s Doge to expand blitz against spending on consultants

Firms including Deloitte and Accenture told to justify billions of dollars’ worth of contracts
Financial Times - 6h
Tesla Fires a Manager Who Criticized Elon Musk on Social Media

The employee objected to a post on X by Mr. Musk, Tesla’s chief executive and a top adviser to President Trump, that referred to Nazi leaders.
The New York Times - 6d
GOP senator praises Elon Musk as the ‘United States’ consultant’ amid federal cuts

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) defends President Trump and Elon Musk's cuts to federal agencies amid backlash from Oklahoma voters.
NBC News - Feb. 23
UK’s Leading Management Consultants 2025: the ratings

Consultancies recommended by clients and peers, rated by sectors and services
Financial Times - Feb. 27
What Elon Musk Got Wrong About Why Federal Retirement Is Still Managed out of a Limestone Mine

The massive underground facility, which has been used to store archives since the 1960s, remains a crucial but convoluted hub for US government records.
Wired - Feb. 22
Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Criticizes DOGE and Elon Musk’s Management Style

“It’s not good for a business to run that way,” Wozniak said of recent DOGE mass firings.
Inc. - 15h
FirstFT: US drives UN resolution on Ukraine war with Russian backing

Also in today’s newsletter, US companies left out of defence stock rally and BP abandons pledge to cut oil and gas output
Financial Times - Feb. 25
Elon Musk Zeroes In on the I.R.S.

The tech mogul’s cost-cutting initiative is seeking sensitive taxpayer data, drawing concerns about privacy, potential political retribution and more.
The New York Times - Feb. 18
Elon Musk is the fox in the henhouse of science

The businessman’s central role in threatening American research has sparked protests in the UK’s Royal Society
Financial Times - 1d