Trump stated that Russia would need to make peace-related concessions, while Musk supported DOGE’s efforts to terminate federal officials.
With loyalists like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in attendance, US President Donald Trump conducted the first cabinet meeting of his second term.
However, billionaire Elon Musk was perhaps the most contentious of the guests.
Musk wore a T-shirt bearing the words “tech support” and stood to the side of the cabinet’s oblong table during the public section of Wednesday’s meeting.
To join the presidential advisory group, most cabinet-level officials must be confirmed by the Senate. However, detractors have cautioned that despite not being elected or subjected to a Senate investigation, Musk has enormous influence over the Trump White House.
Musk addressed reporters gathered for the cabinet meeting following an introductory prayer in which he praised God for President Trump. He then gave a fervent justification of his job as the chairman of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Trump also discussed his plans to impose tariffs, the possibility of peace in Ukraine, and the widespread layoffs that will occur within the federal sector.
