Washington, D.C. – In a dramatic moment during his first cabinet meeting after returning to office, President Donald Trump took a jab at billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, making it clear where he stands on Musk’s growing influence in government.
“If anybody is unhappy with Elon, we’ll throw them out,” Trump quipped to his cabinet members. The remark, delivered with humor and authority, was met with laughter and applause, but it underscored the ongoing tensions between Musk and key government officials.
Musk’s Controversial Directives Stir Backlash
The meeting came amid growing controversy over Musk’s recent orders to federal employees. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO reportedly instructed workers across various government departments—ranging from defense to energy—to submit a written justification of their duties and list five accomplishments or risk termination.
Government agencies, including the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, pushed back, instructing employees to ignore Musk’s directive, arguing that he does not have official government standing. The move has been characterized as overreach by the billionaire, whose increasing clout in Washington has attracted criticism.
After the backlash, Musk justified his actions, saying that they were simply a “quick pulse check” of government efficiency. He attacked staff members who resisted, claiming that some had “failed even that inane test, encouraged in some cases by their bosses.”
Trump and Musk: A Complicated Relationship
Trump’s remarks added to the uncertainty surrounding Musk’s role in his administration. While the president publicly praised Musk, calling him “a great guy” and claiming all cabinet members were “extremely happy with Elon,” his offhand comment about “throwing out” those who opposed Musk has since gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile, a Washington Post report on the same day revealed that Musk’s business empire has benefited from nearly $38 billion in government funding, raising further questions about his influence in federal operations.
Musk Dominates Cabinet Meeting
Although Musk holds no formal position in Trump’s administration, he played a major role in the cabinet meeting. Invited to speak by the president, Musk took center stage, standing for much of the discussion and speaking more than anyone except Trump himself.
Musk justified his directive to federal employees, claiming he had Trump’s approval beforehand. “I said, ‘Can we send out an email to everyone just saying what did you get done last week,’ and the president said yes,” Musk explained, seemingly shifting responsibility to Trump, who nodded in agreement.
Musk also painted a bleak picture of the nation’s economic condition. “If we don’t do this, America will go bankrupt,” he warned, emphasizing what he perceives as an urgent need for reform.
Uncertain Role, Growing Influence
The White House has struggled to define Musk’s exact role in Trump’s second term. As an unelected civilian, his prominence at high-level government events and influence over federal employees have generated controversy.
As the cabinet meeting wrapped up, a journalist pressed Trump on his executive authority, asking whether he believed his orders were automatically binding on officials in the room.
Trump’s response was firm: “Oh, yeah,” he said. “They’ll follow the orders, yes, they will.”
With Musk continuing to shake up Washington’s bureaucratic structure, one thing is clear—his relationship with Trump is as unpredictable as ever.
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