By Staff Reporter
In a striking start to President Donald Trump’s second term, tech mogul Elon Musk outlined his aggressive strategy to slash government spending, warning that financial disaster looms without immediate reforms. The announcement came during Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where Musk’s influence and controversial new role dominated the proceedings.
Trump, seated among top officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, opened the session by praising Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives under the newly created “Department of Government Efficiency.” Despite swirling reports of internal friction, the president assured the room that his cabinet was “thrilled” with the dramatic changes being rolled out.
Wearing his signature “Make America Great Again” cap, Musk addressed the assembled officials from a podium at the White House. “If we don’t act now, America will go bankrupt,” Musk declared, adding that he has faced intense backlash—including death threats—for the sweeping personnel and budget reforms he’s pushed.
Peeling back a blazer to reveal a black t-shirt emblazoned with “Tech Support,” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO described his role in the administration as providing “technical support with humility.”
Dismissing reports of dissent over recent DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) emails—messages sent to federal employees demanding they justify their roles or risk termination—Musk praised the team as the “best cabinet ever.” He thanked members for backing the initiative and denied claims that internal resistance was brewing.
Trump lightened the moment with a jab: “Anyone unhappy with Elon? If they are, we’ll throw them out,” prompting laughter and applause from those gathered around the table.
While some agencies quietly advised employees to disregard the DOGE emails, Trump made it clear that non-respondents were on thin ice, saying, “They’re on the bubble.”
Though Musk does not hold an official cabinet position, his central role in the meeting signaled his status as the administration’s most powerful advisor. Trump reinforced this on Truth Social earlier this week, declaring, “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON.”
Beyond Musk’s headline-grabbing appearance, Trump used the meeting to showcase what he called a “tremendous beginning” to his second term. He fielded questions from the press in a newly structured media session and previewed a high-stakes diplomatic visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is expected to sign a deal granting the U.S. access to rare minerals.
Trump also announced advancements in direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that has unsettled U.S. allies. Further stirring tensions, he accused the European Union of being “created to screw the United States” and floated 25% tariffs on several European imports.
The cabinet lineup itself reflected Trump’s combative and loyalty-driven leadership style. Many of his picks—confirmed despite intense scrutiny—are known for their ideological alignment and willingness to execute Musk’s agenda.
Among them are Hegseth, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct; Tulsi Gabbard, now Director of National Intelligence, who has previously echoed pro-Kremlin narratives; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the vaccine-skeptical Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Still, it’s Musk who continues to overshadow them all. A quarter-billion-dollar donor to Trump’s 2024 campaign, Musk is now more visible at the president’s side than even First Lady Melania Trump or Vice President JD Vance. As the owner of social media platform X and a key player in national space initiatives, his reach extends into nearly every corner of American public life.
Whether Musk’s rise marks a revolution in governance or a troubling concentration of power, one thing is clear: Washington has entered uncharted territory.
