• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Donald Trump gives new insight to what limitations Elon Musk has in power

Home> News> US News

Published 13:16 7 Mar 2025 GMT

Donald Trump gives new insight to what limitations Elon Musk has in power

Maybe Elon Musk should stick to his day job, not that SpaceX's recent test is really anything to go by...

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

Two administration officials claim US President Donald Trump doubled down on what governmental powers Elon Musk truly has during a Cabinet meeting.

Yesterday afternoon (March 6), a Cabinet meeting was held which saw the 47th President of the US clarify what Elon Musk's role - heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) - actually means.

The Tesla CEO initially said he was just 'tech support' for the president, even going so far as to don a black-and-white t-shirt with the phrase emblazoned on.

Advert

Musk said: "I'm a technologist, and I try to make technologies that improve the world. My t-shirt says tech support, because I'm here to provide the president with technology support. And now that may seem like, well, is that a silly thing? But actually it's a very important thing, because the president will make these executive orders, which are very sensible and good for the country, but then they don't get implemented."

However, Musk then sent out an email to all federal employees offering them an ultimatum or be considered fired.

President Trump later said Musk's job is to take on the bureaucratic process and 'get it done' although White House documents later stated Musk - who works for free in the department - isn't technically part of it, but a 'senior advisor to the president' with 'no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself', AP reported.

And two administration officials have since come forward revealing Trump further clarified Musk's role in his recent Cabinet meeting, doubling down on the limitations of what Musk truly has power over.

Advert

Donald Trump has reportedly clarified what powers Elon Musk actually has within government (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Donald Trump has reportedly clarified what powers Elon Musk actually has within government (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

With Cabinet members having expressed concern over Musk's role, Trump reportedly reminded them their responsibility lies within their departments and not with Musk.

Trump previously told the media he wants Cabinet members to be able to 'keep all the people' they 'want' and 'need,' but also make cuts, resolving: "And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting."

However, two administration officials told Politico Trump explained Musk can make recommendations to departments but ultimately cannot 'issue unilateral decisions on staffing and policy'.

Advert

Trump later took to Truth Social following the meeting, reflecting: "We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one. 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."

Trump took to Truth Social after the meeting (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Trump took to Truth Social after the meeting (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

He explained the meetings will be held 'every two weeks until that aspect of this very necessary job is done'.

Trump resolved: "The relationships between everybody in that room are extraordinary. They all want to get to the exact same place, which is, simply, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Advert

Trump's alleged emphasis on the power not being solely in Musk's court is echoed by previous comments he's made on Truth Social, the president stating: "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.’

"The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level."

UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Politics, US News, Business, Technology

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    'Fridge cigarette' trend explained as Gen Z ditches traditional smoke breaks

    The new trend is taking TikTok by storm

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Doctor reveals what you should never do in bed as he explains best way to beat insomnia

    Dr. Matthew Walker has offered some tips to curb insomnia and scrub up on your bedtime habits

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    FBI issues urgent warning to 150,000,000 US iPhone users to delete this text as soon as it appears

    Attacks on iPhones and Androids have surged more than 700 percent this month

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Surprising meaning behind people who keep waking up at the same time every night

    It's surprisingly common

    News
  • Donald Trump issues savage response to Elon Musk saying he's 'very disappointed' in him
  • Donald Trump has blunt five-word response as he reveals how he really feels about Elon Musk feud
  • Donald Trump reveals what he really thinks of Elon Musk after billionaire made major U-turn on Trump Epstein claims
  • Elon Musk speaks out after losing $113,000,000,000 of his fortune since joining Trump administration