Gambiaj.com – (Washington, DC) – A tense exchange unfolded between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk during a high-stakes Cabinet meeting hosted by President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported Friday, citing multiple sources familiar with the incident.

Musk, a close Trump adviser and head of six major companies, sharply criticized Rubio for failing to enact deep personnel cuts at the State Department. The billionaire accused the former senator of being “good on TV” but ineffective in carrying out significant reductions in government staff, according to the report.

Rubio, who has reportedly harbored frustration toward Musk for some time, pushed back against the tech mogul’s remarks. The secretary of state challenged Musk’s claims, asking whether recalling and then firing over 1,500 State Department employees who had already opted for early retirement should count as legitimate layoffs.

The confrontation escalated before Trump intervened, defending Rubio and praising his work. “Marco has done unbelievably as Secretary of State,” Trump said. “And Elon is a unique guy; he’s done a fantastic job.” However, when asked about the altercation, Trump downplayed the incident, insisting there was no conflict.

Musk’s Expanding Influence in Government Restructuring

The clash highlights Musk’s growing role in Trump’s administration, particularly through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has advocated for drastic cuts to government agencies, including efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency manages billions of dollars in aid across more than 100 countries.

During the meeting, Trump reiterated that final decisions on hiring and layoffs should be made by Cabinet secretaries, with Musk and DOGE playing an advisory role. “I want the Cabinet members to go first; keep all the people you want,” Trump said. “And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

Musk’s Broader Clashes with Cabinet Officials

Musk’s confrontations were not limited to Rubio. He also sparred with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over air traffic control operations. According to The Times, the two debated the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) outdated tracking systems, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick siding with Musk.

Duffy accused DOGE staff of attempting to lay off air traffic controllers, a claim Musk dismissed as a “lie.” The dispute intensified when Musk challenged Duffy to name specific controllers allegedly targeted for termination. Duffy also rebutted Musk’s assertion that FAA control towers were overstaffed with employees hired through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Once again, Trump intervened, directing Duffy to prioritize hiring “geniuses” from MIT to modernize air traffic control systems.

Sweeping Job Cuts Across Federal Agencies

Musk’s push for downsizing federal agencies aligns with broader efforts within the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins confirmed plans to eliminate approximately 72,000 jobs—15% of the department’s workforce—sparking backlash from lawmakers.

Despite tensions, Trump described the Cabinet meeting as “productive,” urging secretaries to collaborate with DOGE to streamline government operations. “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social, emphasizing a strategic approach to job cuts.

White House Attempts to Quell Speculation

In response to reports of discord, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to downplay any internal strife, stating, “Everyone is working as one team to help President Trump deliver on his promise to make our government more efficient.”

However, the heated exchanges between Musk and key Cabinet officials underscore the growing influence of the billionaire entrepreneur in shaping the future of the federal government—and the internal divisions his approach continues to stir.

Source: The Hill