During a recent Cabinet meeting, a heated confrontation reportedly erupted between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and entrepreneur Elon Musk, prompting President Donald Trump to intervene on Rubio’s behalf.
Tensions escalated as Musk criticized Rubio, claiming he had not effectively managed the State Department, particularly following the closure of the United States Agency for International Development, which Musk’s DOGE team was involved in.
Rubio, clearly frustrated, defended his record, pointing out that over 1,500 State Department employees had taken early retirements as part of buyouts, which, he argued, should count as layoffs.
He sarcastically questioned whether Musk wanted him to rehire those individuals just to demonstrate he could fire them again. Rubio also laid out his plans for reorganizing the department, pushing back against Musk’s assertions.
Musk, however, seemed unfazed by Rubio’s arguments, remarking that while Rubio was “good on TV,” he believed he lacked substantial effectiveness in his role.
Throughout the exchange, Trump remained seated with his arms crossed, observing the dispute unfold like a spectator at a tennis match.
After the exchange became uncomfortable, Trump stepped in to support Rubio, stating that he was doing a “great job” and underscoring the busy nature of his responsibilities. Trump urged everyone to collaborate effectively.
In a related note, Trump clarified that Musk was authorized to make recommendations to various departments but was not empowered to make unilateral staffing decisions.
Following the meeting, Trump praised the potential of DOGE and emphasized the importance of maintaining productive personnel within the government.
This incident reflects the ongoing dynamics and challenges within the Trump administration as it navigates high-profile figures and complex departmental issues.
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