Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk Over Government Overhaul

In a dramatic and tense Cabinet Room meeting at the White House, simmering frustrations between Trump officials and billionaire Elon Musk erupted into a full-blown confrontation. The meeting, held last Thursday, revealed deep divisions over Musk’s aggressive approach to overhauling the federal government and cutting costs, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the charge against the tech mogul.

The Clash Between Musk and Rubio

The meeting took a fiery turn when Musk directly accused Rubio of failing to reduce his staff, claiming the secretary had fired “nobody.” Rubio, who had been privately seething over Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) shutting down the United States Agency for International Development, fired back. He pointed out that over 1,500 State Department officials had taken early retirement buyouts, sarcastically asking if Musk wanted him to rehire them just to fire them again.

Musk, unimpressed, dismissed Rubio as being “good on TV” but little else. The exchange left the room in stunned silence, with President Trump observing the back-and-forth like a spectator at a tennis match. Eventually, Trump intervened, praising Rubio for doing a “great job” and urging everyone to work together.

A Turning Point for Musk’s Role

The meeting marked a potential turning point in Musk’s influence over the government overhaul. Trump, while reaffirming his support for Musk’s mission to reduce waste and inefficiency, made it clear that cabinet secretaries would now take the lead, with Musk’s team serving in an advisory capacity. This shift came amid growing concerns from Republican lawmakers and cabinet officials about Musk’s unchecked power and the chaotic implementation of his cost-cutting measures.

Trump’s decision to rein in Musk followed weeks of complaints about DOGE’s heavy-handed tactics, including abrupt layoffs and the cancellation of critical contracts. The president acknowledged the need for a more “refined” approach, likening the next phase of cuts to using a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet.”

Tensions Across the Cabinet

The clash between Musk and Rubio was not the only heated moment. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confronted Musk over DOGE’s push to lay off air traffic controllers, warning that such cuts could jeopardize aviation safety. Musk dismissed Duffy’s concerns as a “lie,” demanding names of those allegedly fired. Duffy shot back, stating he had prevented the layoffs from happening.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins also weighed in, cautioning against blunt cuts that could harm veterans—a key Trump constituency. Trump agreed, emphasizing the need to retain skilled employees while removing underperformers.

The Aftermath

Despite the tensions, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the meeting as “productive,” emphasizing the administration’s unified goal of making government more efficient. However, Musk’s combative demeanor and caustic remarks left many cabinet members hesitant to voice their own grievances.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk defended his approach, touting his success in building billion-dollar companies and insisting that his results speak for themselves. Meanwhile, Duffy praised Trump’s call for a more strategic approach, signaling a possible shift in DOGE’s operations.

What’s Next?

The meeting laid bare the internal strife within Trump’s team, highlighting the challenges of balancing Musk’s ambitious vision with the practical realities of governing. While Trump’s intervention may have temporarily eased tensions, the long-term impact of Musk’s role in the government overhaul remains uncertain.

One thing is clear: the clash between Musk and Trump officials has exposed the growing pains of an administration determined to reshape the federal government—but struggling to reconcile competing visions of how to do it.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com