Musk Ally Tom Krause: From Tech Hatchet Man to Treasury Troublemaker?

Elon Musk’s latest accomplice, Tom Krause, is slicing and dicing his way through the Treasury Department like a well-prepared Michelin chef. Hired to infuse corporate zeal into the government, Krause is being described by ex-colleagues as a real ‘hatchet man.’ Former employees from Cloud Software Group spill the beans about their fear of layoffs, breeding a workplace a bit more scary than a haunted house on Halloween.

During his reign at Cloud Software, Krause maneuvered through layoffs like a pro, trimming the fat while enforcing mandatory office returns faster than you can say “Zoom fatigue.” From rigid performance ratings to weekly check-ins sent directly to him (because who wouldn’t want more emails?), Krause’s management style echoes Musk’s recent moves toward his very own Department of Government Efficiency—where efficiency means watching your back at work.

One employee even went undercover with a secret pregnancy, terrified it might knock her off the layoff radar. “They saw people as expendable,” reminisced Kathleen Roan, the not-so-enthusiastic former content designer. Krause’s cuts didn’t just trim the workforce; they slashed perks like a villain in a low-budget horror flick, leaving many scrambling to make sense of their seemingly cursed jobs.

Krause, now pulling the strings in the Treasury’s $5 trillion payment system, inherited a fascinating task: turning government efficiency into something resembling a tech startup’s fiscal fitness program. But hold onto your wallets! Former employees of the Cloud Software Group hint at a culture of dread, akin to awaiting a surprise pop quiz in a class you didn’t study for.

Despite Krause’s reputation for ruthlessness, a few employees offered rave reviews, calling him a glass-half-full kind of guy—when the glass is half-full of expenses to cut that is. One former employee even hailed him as the ideal choice for the Treasury, claiming he has the financial finesse needed to pull off the job. Spoiler alert: this could be the most divided fan club since the last superhero movie.

Yet while some wave their flags in support of Krause, others are left biting their nails. “It’s very alarming,” said Roan—understandably so. Can someone notorious for quarterly layoffs truly steer the ship for the U.S. Treasury? Just imagine his meetings: “What can we cut today?” Let’s hold on to our wallets and hope for the best!

Heading into 2024, Krause and his cutting tools are still very much at the helm, while he reassures his employees that he’s all in for Cloud Software—and perhaps all in for government too. When Krause wrote of dedicating himself to the company while prepping for his Treasury gig, it raised at least one eyebrow. Did someone mention juggling?

As we eagerly await what’s next from Krause, several former employees suggest he should avoid trying to bring his corporate playbook into the hallowed halls of government—unless he has a penchant for producing a drama series out of it. At least if he fails, we’ll have good content for our next binge-watching session!

Elon Musk’s ally Tom Krause has taken a sharp turn into the U.S. Treasury, bringing his cost-cutting corporate tactics with him. Former employees of Cloud Software Group describe a terrifying workplace under Krause—filled with layoffs, a hostile environment, and a no-nonsense approach to efficiency. While some see his efforts as commendable, others are alarmed at his appointment, fearing he might cut his way through government just like he did in the private sector.