In a notable first Cabinet meeting of his second term, President Donald Trump convened key officials at the White House on Wednesday. Among the attendees were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. However, the spotlight was on billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who, despite not being a Cabinet member, played a significant role in the discussions.
Musk’s Role in the Trump Administration
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has been appointed as a special government employee, informally tasked with overseeing the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Musk’s attendance, stating that he would address the administration’s efforts to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, and inefficiencies within federal agencies.
“Musk will discuss DOGE’s efforts and how all of the cabinet secretaries are identifying waste, fraud, and abuse at their respective agencies,” Leavitt said on Tuesday.
Trump Praises Musk’s Involvement
Ahead of the meeting, Trump took to Truth Social to express his confidence in Musk’s contributions. “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON. The Media will see that at the Cabinet Meeting this morning!!!” Trump wrote.
Opposition to Musk’s Cost-Cutting Measures
While Trump praised Musk’s role, his aggressive cost-cutting initiatives have sparked controversy among federal employees and department heads. Recently, Musk directed all federal employees to submit a list of five accomplishments from the past week or face termination. This directive, issued through the Office of Personnel Management, caused confusion and resistance among government workers. Several Senate-confirmed department heads reportedly advised their employees to disregard Musk’s directive.
Cabinet Meetings and Policy Direction
Traditionally, Cabinet meetings include appointed department heads, the White House chief of staff, and the president and vice president. Musk’s attendance, though unusual, highlights his influence over the administration’s efficiency initiatives, signaling a shift in how the Trump administration approaches governance and federal spending. This meeting marks the beginning of what is expected to be a series of discussions on government reforms, with Musk playing a central role in reshaping federal operations.