The tech magnate describes failure to respond to a request he was not authorized to make as ‘incompetence’ as Donald Trump stirs up conspiracy theories. The chaos and confusion created in the administration by his first ultimatum was not enough. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, was back on the attack on Monday and the U.S. President threatened to fire officials who do not respond to an email in which he asks them—without having the authority to do so—to explain what they accomplished at work the previous week. The actions of President Donald Trump and his main ally increasingly display traits that resemble authoritarianism through these demands. Ir threats arbitrarily, without submitting to laws or procedures, and demanding whatever they wish even if they have no legal authority.