Elon Musk Advocates for Federal Efficiency Amid Cabinet Meeting with Trump
WASHINGTON – Elon Musk made headlines during a recent Cabinet meeting for President Donald Trump, wearing a black "Make America Great Again" hat and proclaiming his role as "humble tech support" for the federal government. Musk emphasized the urgent financial challenges facing the nation, warning, “If we don’t do this, America will go bankrupt,” as he addressed department heads gathered in the Cabinet Room.
Trump appeared supportive, allowing Musk to present a summary of initiatives from the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk’s team uncovered significant inefficiencies within the government, with Trump recognizing Musk’s dedication amidst his numerous business ventures.
Musk revealed that his commitment to government reform has attracted serious backlash, even receiving death threats. He remarked that his objective is to identify $1 trillion in potential federal budget cuts, a plan that has sparked disruption among federal employees and those whom they serve.
During the meeting, Musk defended a controversial proposal that required government workers to justify their weekly work, asserting it was a necessary "pulse check" to confirm their presence and engagement in their jobs. He added that it should not be difficult for workers to demonstrate their capabilities.
Faced with inquiries about their satisfaction with Musk’s initiatives, Trump light-heartedly joked about potential repercussions for dissenters after prompting Cabinet members to share their thoughts.
Musk expressed his belief that President Trump has assembled the strongest Cabinet to date, stating,"And I don’t give false praise.”
While committed to cutting expenditures, Musk acknowledged the likelihood of making mistakes during the process. He recounted an instance where his push to cut funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development briefly affected Ebola prevention efforts, but he assured that services were not interrupted before funding was restored.
Despite Musk’s assurances, officials within USAID highlighted that no funds had been allocated for the agency’s Ebola response due to a funding freeze initiated shortly after Trump took office.
As the Cabinet meeting progressed, Trump eventually redirected the conversation back to his achievements in office, with the Cabinet members remaining largely silent during the proceedings, which included a session with invited reporters seeking insights into Trump’s leadership style and expectations for compliance within his administration.
