Despite how much
President Donald Trump
attempts to minimize it, strains between
Elon Musk
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Secretaries are gaining influence, following an intense confrontation between the billionaire and members of Trump’s Cabinet during a heated meeting last week.
SofTech
learned that the Cabinet session witnessed the participation of the Secretary of State
Marco Rubio
Musk and his opponent engaged in a fierce debate, openly expressing their views and feelings towards one another.
Central to the debate were the initiatives spearheaded by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (
DOGE
) in dismissing large numbers of federal workers as part of its initiative to search the government for areas where federal spending can be reduced.
Based on reports, Musk accused Rubio of stating that he hadn’t dismissed anyone from his team within the cabinet, and sarcastically commented that maybe the sole individual Rubio let go was someone working with DOGE.
Rubio countered by stating that the tech tycoon wasn’t telling the truth and questioned if the approximately 1,500 State Department employees who accepted early retirement packages through buyouts should not be considered layoffs.
The Secretary of State subsequently presented his proposals for restructuring the State Department; however, Musk allegedly found these plans underwhelming.
Reports indicate that Secretary of State Rubio was covertly enraged with Musk after DOGE closed down the civilian foreign aid organization USAID (the United States Agency for International Development), cutting its staff from 10,000 to fewer than 300 members, as part of their initial initiatives.
In the midst of the disagreement, Musk apparently commented to Rubio saying he did well on television, seemingly implying that “his capabilities were limited otherwise.”
After the dispute continued for what was described as an “uncomfortably” long duration, President Trump stepped into the discussion, according to various reports, and supported the Secretary of State.
He mentioned that Rubio was performing “very well,” and noted that “Rubio is highly active, constantly traveling and on the move.”
TV
, and he also manages an agency. Therefore, everybody must collaborate.”
Trump also mentioned that Musk and DOGE would play just an advisory part in this matter.
laying off
Federal employees will handle the task, with the ultimate decision being made by Cabinet Secretaries and department leaders.
According to reports, Musk has stated his support for the President’s choice.
This represented the initial change in the Trump administration’s stance toward Musk and the DOGE, who had previously wielded unchecked power over federal employees and job security.
It should be mentioned that Trump, Musk, and DOGE were involved in this situation.
sued
by a group of 14 states, spearheaded by
New Mexico
, claiming that the department’s initiatives to reduce governmental expenditure are “
unconstitutional
.”
According to reports, the states insisted that the court prevent the tech tycoon from “modifying the allocation of public money, governmental contracts, rules, or staff positions, along with gaining entry to or modifying information databases.”
The states indicated in their submission:
Mr. Musk’s apparently boundless and unregulated ability to reduce the government’s staff and abolish whole divisions with just a signature or a mouse click could have startled those who secured this nation’s freedom.
Nevertheless, Trump’s most recent comment suggests that he plans to keep DOGE under tighter control.
Trump has additionally been attempting to minimize the significance of the situation.
rising friction
Between the Cabinet secretaries and Musk in his recent comments, where he mentioned that the “meeting with most of theSecretaries, Elon, and others” was “highlypositive.”
The connections among everyone in that room are remarkable. Their shared objective is straightforward: they all aim to reach precisely the same destination.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN
,” he added.
On Sunday, March 9, Trump issued a statement saying, “The level of tension doesn’t seem high… Elon is an exceptionally remarkable individual, as are those serving in my cabinet. They share a terrific rapport with Elon.”
However, he did
admit
There has been some disagreement between Trump’s cabinet and Musk; “This doesn’t imply they never engage in occasional arguments over certain issues.”
Regarding how the Trump administration intends to handle DOGE, Trump
wrote
on Truth Social:
It’s crucial that we reduce the numbers to their appropriate levels, but it’s equally vital to retain our top performers who drive productivity. These bi-weekly meetings will continue until this essential task is completed.
Trump further stated:
I’ve directed the Secretaries and leaders to collaborate with DOGE on cost-saving initiatives and staffing matters. As these Secretaries become familiar with and comprehend their teams within each department, they’ll be able to make exact decisions regarding which employees should stay and which ones might leave. It’s more like using a scalpel instead of an axe. Together, Elon, DOGE, along with many talented individuals, will achieve remarkable accomplishments.
“I desire the figures, yet I aim to retain the valuable employees,” stated the president.
explained
to journalists in the Oval Office.
