Elon Musk’s X announces fresh layoffs: THIS team to take the hit

Elon Musk’s social media company X (formerly known as Twitter) is rumoured to be preparing for another round of layoffs, with the engineering department being the main area of impact. 

The Verge recently reported, based on sources within X and posts on Blind, that more staff cuts are likely to occur soon, adding to Musk’s extensive restructuring efforts since his acquisition of the platform in 2022.

In recent internal communications, Musk tied stock options to employee performance, asking staff to submit a one-page summary of their contributions, underscoring a results-driven approach. This policy is one of several new initiatives aimed at ensuring employees align closely with Musk’s vision for X.

Since Musk's takeover, over 6,000 employees—or roughly 80% of the workforce—have been let go, affecting departments ranging from content moderation to diversity and inclusion. 

Earlier this year, the safety team, responsible for managing abuse and harmful content, also saw significant downsizing, raising concerns about the platform’s ability to maintain safe interactions for users.

As the U.S. presidential election season ramps up, Musk appears to be positioning X as a key platform for political dialogue, increasing the need for a lean, agile team. However, these successive layoffs have created unease within the company, with many employees uncertain about their roles amid Musk's aggressive reshaping of X’s operational framework.

The direction of X remains a subject of industry speculation, and it remains to be seen if Musk’s approach will create a sustainable model for the platform or if further restructuring will be necessary to meet his ambitious goals.