Elon Musk made a notable impact during President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting of his second term on Wednesday, where he spoke about the aggressive cost-cutting measures undertaken by his unofficial “Department of Government Efficiency.” Musk stated that his primary objective was to steer the U.S. away from financial collapse. Trump echoed his support, noting that his team was “thrilled” with the sweeping reductions enacted by his billionaire adviser.
Wearing a black “Make America Great Again” hat, Musk took the podium at the White House after being introduced by Trump to elaborate on the controversial initiative. Musk, currently the world’s richest individual, didn’t mince words—telling cabinet members bluntly that the nation risked bankruptcy without these measures. He also revealed he had received backlash and even death threats as a result of his involvement in the budget cuts.
Lightening the mood, Musk revealed a black t-shirt that read “Tech Support” in bold white lettering, jokingly referring to his role in the administration as providing modest technical guidance. He praised the current cabinet as the “best ever” and dismissed claims of internal resistance related to emails sent to federal employees demanding justification for their positions or face dismissal.
In a playful exchange, Trump asked the room if anyone had a problem with Musk. “Throw them out,” he quipped, drawing laughter and applause from the group. “There might be a few disagreements,” Trump admitted, “but overall, not only is everyone happy—they’re thrilled.”
Even though the emails from the so-called DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) caused confusion within federal agencies—prompting some to advise staff to disregard or minimize the threats—Trump made it clear that those who failed to respond were “on the bubble” and at risk of being let go.
While Musk does not officially hold a cabinet position, his influence was clear, given his prominent role at the meeting. Trump, who has brushed off any talk of tension over Musk’s sway, reinforced via social media that “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON.”
The cabinet gathering also served as a platform for Trump to promote what he described as a successful start to his second term. This included a one-hour press Q&A under newly implemented rules for White House media access. He also announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would visit the White House on Friday to finalize a deal granting the U.S. access to rare minerals in Kyiv—part of ongoing negotiations to bring an end to the war with Russia.
Trump’s direct dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin have sparked concern among U.S. allies. His harsh stance toward the European Union—claiming it was “created to screw the United States”—and his plan to impose 25% tariffs on European imports have further heightened tensions.
The cabinet meeting featured several controversial figures, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has faced sexual assault allegations; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, criticized for echoing Kremlin-aligned positions; and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine views. Despite the controversies, all have been confirmed by the Republican-majority Senate and are instrumental in implementing both Musk’s cost-cutting agenda and Trump’s broader policies.
Musk, who reportedly made a major financial contribution to Trump’s 2024 campaign, has emerged as the most influential figure within Trump’s inner circle. Known for his leadership in the space sector and as the owner of X, Musk’s political reach now spans multiple domains—arguably exceeding that of First Lady Melania Trump or Vice President JD Vance. His unprecedented role as a senior adviser is reshaping the course of Trump’s second term in ways unseen in modern American politics.