A fiery confrontation erupted during a White House Cabinet meeting on Thursday as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and billionaire adviser Elon Musk clashed over staff reductions at the State Department.
President Donald Trump, presiding over the meeting, stepped in to clarify Musk’s role and defuse tensions, according to a report by The New York Times.
Musk, who has been leading efforts to streamline federal bureaucracy at Trump's behest, criticised Rubio for failing to implement significant workforce reductions. “You’ve fired nobody,” Musk reportedly charged, alleging that the only dismissal Rubio had overseen was a staffer from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a unit under Musk’s advisory purview.
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Rubio, however, pushed back, highlighting that over 1,500 State Department employees had already accepted early retirement packages. With a hint of sarcasm, he questioned Musk’s expectations, remarking, “Do you want me to rehire those people just so you can fire them again for the show?”
Unmoved by Rubio’s defence, Musk dismissed his argument with a pointed remark. “You’re good on TV,” he quipped, suggesting that the Secretary of State’s strengths lay more in public appearances than in departmental management.
As the exchange grew increasingly heated, Trump, who had been observing with folded arms, intervened. The President defended Rubio’s performance, stating that the Secretary was “doing a great job,” balancing extensive diplomatic travel and media engagements while overseeing his department.
Trump also clarified that ultimate hiring and firing decisions rested with department heads, not Musk’s DOGE unit. “DOGE is only playing an advisory role,” the President affirmed.
According to Reuters, the meeting was convened following complaints from several agency heads about Musk’s aggressive approach to workforce reductions. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and the Office of Legislative Affairs had also received numerous concerns from Republican lawmakers, who were facing backlash from constituents over the restructuring efforts.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after the meeting, Trump downplayed reports of discord. “There was no clash. I was there. You’re just a troublemaker,” he told a journalist. “Marco has done unbelievably as Secretary of State, and Elon is a unique guy who’s done a fantastic job,” The New York Times quoted him as saying.
Trump later reiterated his stance on Truth Social, minimising the controversy and emphasising a balanced approach to downsizing federal bureaucracy. “We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one,” he stated.
“It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people. As the Secretaries learn about and understand the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain and who will go. We say the scalpel rather than the hatchet,” he added.
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The episode underscores the ongoing tensions within the Trump administration as it seeks to reshape the federal workforce. With Musk playing an active role in advocating for significant government restructuring, further disputes may arise as officials navigate the delicate balance between efficiency and stability.
Source: The New York Times