President Donald Trump made it clear during Wednesday’s first Cabinet meeting where the true power lies in his new administration. Surprisingly, it was not with the actual Cabinet members. Most Senate-confirmed, top-ranking agency heads sat silently around the table, even though they had prepared remarks. Instead, the spotlight was on Elon Musk, the billionaire reforming the government, who emerged as Trump's most influential adviser.
Musk's efforts to reshape the federal bureaucracy have sparked outcry and confusion, even causing quiet grumbling among some Trump allies due to his bold tactics. However, the meeting indicated Trump’s confidence in Musk’s ability to overhaul the government. In a bold move, Trump asked his Cabinet members if anyone was unhappy with Elon, thereby emphasizing the power dynamics within his administration.
During the meeting, the Cabinet members served more as a backdrop. Trump dominated the discussion, but Musk spoke for three times as long as anyone else. It wasn’t until 56 minutes into the meeting that Trump invited Vice President JD Vance to speak, who only offered 36 seconds of remarks. The housing secretary was invited to speak solely to offer an opening prayer.
The visuals of the conference were telling. Musk, dressed in a black wool overcoat and a black-on-black “Make America Great Again” hat, sat outside the circle of Senate-confirmed officials. His attire and seating position signaled his unconventional approach within Washington.
Musk described his role as providing "Tech Support" to the government, with his team (referred to as DOGE) working beyond software adjustments. Young engineers led by Musk have embedded themselves across the federal government, scrutinizing databases and canceling questionable programs. While some Cabinet members, like Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, expressed support for DOGE, others were uneasy about Musk’s directive for all federal employees to account for their work week.
Musk’s approach has unsettled some officials due to bypassing traditional chains of command. However, Trump reassured that Musk was operating with his full endorsement, leaving little room for dissent. Trump emphasized the respect Musk commands, despite minor disagreements from some Cabinet members.
Calling on Musk before any Cabinet member, and nearly an hour before Vice President Vance, highlighted Musk's elevated status within the White House. Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, explained Musk’s role to Senate Republicans, emphasizing his direct line to Trump rather than through Cabinet secretaries.
The lion's share of the Cabinet meeting was public, ensuring transparency of Musk’s role. After reporters left, the meeting continued for only 20 minutes, with Trump discussing major topics himself, like the administration's stance on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and urging GOP support for the budget measure.
The session served as a platform for the Trump-Musk dynamic, further solidifying Musk’s influence in shaping the administration’s future direction.
