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Washington Week with The Atlantic

Musk’s influence over mass firings in the federal government

Season 2025 Episode 7 | 17m 56s

President Trump’s decision to order mass firings in the federal workforce indicates not only his loyalty to billionaire Elon Musk, but to a revolutionary idea about the role of government itself. The panel discusses the relationship between Trump and Musk and the ideology driving many of Trump’s policy decisions.

Major funding for “Washington Week with The Atlantic” is provided by Consumer Cellular, Otsuka, Kaiser Permanente, the Yuen Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Extras
Watch • 3:58
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Why is America the economic engine of the world?
Why has America been the economic engine of the world for so long?
Clip: S2026 E24 | 3:58
Watch • 16:16
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Is Trump a symptom or the cause of political polarization?
Is Trump a symptom or the cause of political polarization?
Clip: S2026 E24 | 16:16
Watch • 5:49
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Has America upheld the principles formulated 250 years ago?
Has the United States lived up to the principles formulated 250 years ago?
Clip: S2026 E24 | 5:49
Watch • 12:51
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Is America driven by democratic ideals or self-interest?
Is America driven by democratic ideals or transactional interests?
Clip: S2026 E24 | 12:51
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 6/5/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from June 5, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E23 | 26:46
Watch • 8:45
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Why ‘YOLO’ Republicans are defying Trump in Congress
Why ‘YOLO’ Republicans are defying Trump in Congress
Clip: S2026 E23 | 8:45
Watch • 11:49
Washington Week with The Atlantic
The state of negotiations to end Trump’s stalled war in Iran
The state of negotiations to end Trump’s stalled war in Iran
Clip: S2026 E23 | 11:49
Watch • 9:45
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump’s revolutionary approach to global leadership
Trump’s revolutionary approach to global leadership
Clip: S2026 E22 | 9:45
Watch • 11:16
Washington Week with The Atlantic
David Ignatius on the consequences of the Iran war
David Ignatius on the consequences of the Iran war
Clip: S2026 E22 | 11:16
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 5/29/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from May 29, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E22 | 26:46