Veteran health workers at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have condemned Elon Musk’s latest email campaign. The barrage, featuring the taunting ‘What Did You Do Last Week?’ line and linked to DOGE antics, is described as ruthless psychological warfare that intensifies stress and undermines care for veterans, officials confirm.
Veterans Affairs mental health specialists in the United States have characterized Elon Musk’s “what did you do last week?” email series as psychological warfare.
Mental health providers spoke to NPR about the effects of the internet billionaire’s campaign on them and others, and he reportedly demanded that federal employees defend their jobs to him while acting as the apparent director of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, which is responsible for reducing spending and preventing fraud.
According to one licensed clinical psychologist, “Many of us feel like we are being bullied to justify our existence and worth.” The psychologist went on to say that the VA has long kept track of her every move, including the amount of patients she sees, the duration of their appointments, the subjects they cover, and the literature she distributes.
Last week, Musk informed Cabinet members that his emails were meant to determine which employees were “real” and “have a pulse and two neurons.” While Trump’s appointees found this amusing, the psychologist stated that the government is suffering due to these emails and all the other disruptions related to DOGE.
She stated, “Instead of being able to do good work to address their depression, PTSD, sexual trauma, combat trauma, etc., I have to spend time calming their nerves.”
According to another doctor who spoke with NPR, she was out enjoying some family time on a Saturday when she received the first “What did you do last week?” email. She is convinced that Musk sent it on purpose.
According to her, federal employees are being intentionally mentally distressed by this weekend’s emails. This is based on her expertise as a mental health specialist.
It was successful, Musk’s blitzkrieg.
“I am anxious and irritable at home,” she noted. Also, she warns her veterans about doomscrolling, but now she finds herself doing it herself, which is having a detrimental effect on her mental health.
As a result of worry about possible monitoring by DOGE officials, the psychiatrist claims that colleagues are cautious about their online contacts and meetings. She also suspects that the responses to Musk’s emails are being examined using artificial intelligence, but she doesn’t trust the reasoning behind it.
She went on to say, “I truly believe this is a nefarious process.”
The American Federation of Government Employees released a VA memo this week outlining plans to cut over 80,000 jobs across the department. Mental health professionals who spoke with NPR expressed uncertainty about their job security and their desire to remain with the veterans they are helping, as they fear being forced to leave their jobs.
Luis Gochoco is a seasoned managing editor and writer with over a decade of experience covering politics, technology, gaming, and entertainment news. With a keen eye for breaking stories and in-depth analysis, he has established himself as a trusted voice in digital journalism. Luis is one of the key forces behind the success of GameNGuide, contributing to 12 million views through engaging and high-traffic content. He also played a pivotal role in generating 8 million views on International Business Times, shaping the platform’s technology and gaming coverage.
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