Many of the federal employees who supported Donald Trump in hopes of positive economic changes feel betrayed now, facing a completely different reality, with many of them already losing their jobs.
The massive layoffs and Elon Musk’s increasing influence on the government have led to deep regrets. People are speaking openly and criticizing without reservation the measures of the Trump administration.
"You're fired. You're fired. You're fired. This is not The Apprentice," said an employee to Business Insider.
"I voted for something completely different"
David Pasquino, a former employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, told Business Insider that "this is not what I imagined when Trump said he would make the government more efficient."
Pasquino, who voted for Trump hoping for significant changes, expresses his frustration with the massive layoffs that have taken place under the new administration.
"I voted for something completely different: for the economy, for immigration and border control," he said. "I didn't vote for him to come in and terrorize the federal administration, firing people without reason."
"That's not what I imagined when President Trump said he would change the government and make it more efficient."
The same opinion is shared by other federal employees who have spoken under anonymity, fearing reprisals.
"I voted for Trump hoping he would reduce waste and increase government efficiency, but now I feel betrayed," said another employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"You're fired. You're fired. You're fired. This is not The Apprentice," said another employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, who says he voted for Trump twice.
"I didn't vote for Elon Musk"
Another point of frustration for federal employees is Elon Musk's increasing influence on the Trump administration. Musk, known for his leadership roles at SpaceX and Tesla, has become a prominent figure in government politics.
Now, Trump supporters say they didn't vote for Musk, but for the president.
"I didn't vote for Elon Musk. I voted for Trump," said an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. "And that infuriates me."
An employee from the National Weather Service told Business Insider that they "admire" Musk's achievements at SpaceX and Tesla, but that "a private company is completely different from the government."
Frustration is growing in America
Marcia, another federal employee who voted for Trump, feels "extremely disappointed" by the administration's outcomes.
"He was supposed to lower prices. He was supposed to help the middle class in America. But now we have the most toxic environment I've ever seen," Marcia says.
She admits that if she had known what would happen, she wouldn't have voted for Trump.
"I've been a Republican all my life, and it's the first time a Republican president has misled me. If I had known that I would lose my job because Trump became president, no, I wouldn't have voted for him," Marcia adds.
Officials who supported him to support the middle class and reduce government costs now feel betrayed by the measures taken. Many of these individuals, who have lost their jobs or fear for their professional future, deeply regret supporting Trump.
D.D.