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Elon Musk Takes Center Stage at Trump’s First Cabinet Meeting
Elon Musk played a prominent role in Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting of his second term, with the president emphasizing his team’s enthusiasm for the billionaire’s influence despite reported tensions over drastic government cuts.
Dressed in a black “Make America Great Again” cap, Musk was invited by Trump to address the cabinet regarding his controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. The tech mogul warned that without these measures, the U.S. faced financial collapse, acknowledging that he was receiving heavy criticism and even death threats.
At one point, Musk downplayed his role, calling himself a “humble technical support” figure, before revealing a black t-shirt with “Tech Support” written in bold white letters. Addressing media reports of frustration among cabinet members over DOGE emails requiring federal employees to justify their jobs or face termination, Musk dismissed concerns and praised the team as “the best cabinet ever.”
Trump, 78, reinforced Musk’s position, humorously suggesting that anyone unhappy with the billionaire should be removed. While some cabinet members reportedly had reservations, Trump asserted that most were “not just happy, but thrilled.”
Musk's Growing Influence
Musk’s role as an advisor, rather than a formal cabinet member, highlights his growing influence within the administration. Trump dismissed reports of tension, insisting that all cabinet members were “extremely happy” with Musk’s involvement.
The meeting also allowed Trump to showcase his agenda, including negotiations to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would visit the White House to sign an agreement granting the U.S. access to Kyiv’s rare minerals. Trump’s direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised concerns among allies.
Additionally, Trump revealed plans to impose a 25% tariff on European imports, stating that the European Union was designed to disadvantage the U.S.
A Controversial Cabinet
Trump’s cabinet includes several controversial figures, many chosen for their loyalty and commitment to Musk’s cost-cutting measures. Despite scrutiny over their qualifications, the Republican-led Senate confirmed their appointments.
Among them are Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, known for her past alignment with Kremlin narratives; and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host facing past allegations of sexual misconduct.
However, Musk, who contributed $250 million to Trump’s reelection campaign, remains the most influential figure. As the owner of the X social media platform and a key player in the U.S. space sector, his presence extends far beyond his advisory role—often surpassing that of Vice President JD Vance and even First Lady Melania Trump.
With his reach spanning across multiple sectors of government, Musk has cemented his position as one of the most powerful figures in Washington today.
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