Featured Image Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Politics, US News, Business, Technology
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Politics, US News, Business, Technology
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.
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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.
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'.
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."
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!"
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.