At the beginning of Trump's second term, his attitude towards the "hero" Musk seems to be quietly changing.
From the initial "sole favorite" to today's public "knocking" and even limiting its power in government reform, power struggles and policy games within the White House are emerging. The conflict that broke out at the White House cabinet meeting on Thursday indicates that the relationship between Trump and Musk may usher in a major turning point.
At the end of February, at the first cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump also publicly supported Musk, and even said that "whoever is dissatisfied with Elon will be expelled". At the time, Musk, wearing a "MAGA" cap, was tasked by Trump with leading the Government Efficiency Unit (DOGE), vowing to cut $1 trillion from the federal government's $7 trillion in annual spending.
However, just a few days later, the wind direction changed abruptly. According to media reports, at last Thursday's White House meeting, Trump hinted that Musk's DOGE was too hasty on the issue of layoffs. After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social that future layoffs would use a "scalpel" instead of a "machete". According to the Wall Street Journal's analysis, this marks the first public adjustment of the direction of the DOGE project by the Trump administration.
Debate the White House: Rubio and Musk go head-to-head
The New York Times detailed the heated exchange at last Thursday's cabinet meeting. Secretary of State Rubio and Musk erupted into a heated argument over layoffs. Musk accused Rubio of failing to effectively reduce State Department personnel, while Rubio countered that more than 1,500 State Department officials had retired early and elaborated on the State Department's restructuring plan.
Musk didn't buy Rubio's explanation, and even sarcastically mocked him for "only being good at showing off on TV". Faced with a stalemate, Trump eventually stepped in, acknowledging Rubio's work and saying that "everyone needs to cooperate."
In addition to Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also clashed with Musk over the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) layoffs. Musk accused Duffy of lying, while Duffy insisted that Musk's team tried to fire the air traffic controller. Eventually, Trump asked Duffy to hire a "genius" from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) as an air traffic controller.
Trump made it clear on social media that the next phase of the federal layoffs will take a more refined "scalpel" approach, rather than Musk's previous "machete" approach. Behind this shift is growing unease within the Republican Party about the pace and scope of DOGE's layoffs.
Musk-led layoffs have reportedly involved at least 20,000 federal employees, sparking protests in many places. House Speaker Mike Johnson even advised Republican members to avoid face-to-face meetings in their districts. Under pressure, Musk had to provide personal phone numbers to some Republican senators to ease party discontent.
In addition to political pressure, DOGE's layoffs also face legal challenges. According to media reports, a federal judge has barred the Office of Personnel Management from terminating probationary employees in specific departments. A number of laid off employees of the National Science Foundation and the National Nuclear Safety Administration have also been rehired.
Reshaping power: Cabinet ministers return to power
The New York Times noted last Thursday's meeting as a potential turning point in the first weeks of Trump's second term. Trump made it clear that future ministers in various departments will be responsible for layoffs, and Musk's team will only provide advice.
Although Musk remains Trump's biggest political donor, his power in government reform has been significantly diminished. The New York Times, citing people familiar with the matter, said that the meeting exposed tensions within Trump's team, with cabinet members generally frustrated by Musk's team's approach to "subverting the government."
The Way Forward: Collaboration or Break?
Despite Trump's attempts to balance the interests of all parties at the meeting, the contradictions between Musk and cabinet members have become public. Musk claimed on X that the meeting was "productive," but the New York Times noted that he was "less enthusiastic" inside the venue.
It's unclear where the Trump administration's relationship with Musk will go. But what is certain is that last Thursday's meeting marked a major turning point in the relationship. Trump's change of attitude towards Musk and the resistance of cabinet ministers to the DOGE project all indicate that the US government will face more power games and policy adjustments in the future.
The content is for reference only, not a solicitation or offer. No investment, tax, or legal advice provided. See Disclaimer for more risks disclosure.
A major turning point in the Trump administration: the cabinet is back in charge of layoffs, and Musk's power is limited
Original author: Pan Lingfei
Reprint: Daisy, Mars Finance
At the beginning of Trump's second term, his attitude towards the "hero" Musk seems to be quietly changing.
From the initial "sole favorite" to today's public "knocking" and even limiting its power in government reform, power struggles and policy games within the White House are emerging. The conflict that broke out at the White House cabinet meeting on Thursday indicates that the relationship between Trump and Musk may usher in a major turning point.
At the end of February, at the first cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump also publicly supported Musk, and even said that "whoever is dissatisfied with Elon will be expelled". At the time, Musk, wearing a "MAGA" cap, was tasked by Trump with leading the Government Efficiency Unit (DOGE), vowing to cut $1 trillion from the federal government's $7 trillion in annual spending.
However, just a few days later, the wind direction changed abruptly. According to media reports, at last Thursday's White House meeting, Trump hinted that Musk's DOGE was too hasty on the issue of layoffs. After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social that future layoffs would use a "scalpel" instead of a "machete". According to the Wall Street Journal's analysis, this marks the first public adjustment of the direction of the DOGE project by the Trump administration.
Debate the White House: Rubio and Musk go head-to-head
The New York Times detailed the heated exchange at last Thursday's cabinet meeting. Secretary of State Rubio and Musk erupted into a heated argument over layoffs. Musk accused Rubio of failing to effectively reduce State Department personnel, while Rubio countered that more than 1,500 State Department officials had retired early and elaborated on the State Department's restructuring plan.
Musk didn't buy Rubio's explanation, and even sarcastically mocked him for "only being good at showing off on TV". Faced with a stalemate, Trump eventually stepped in, acknowledging Rubio's work and saying that "everyone needs to cooperate."
In addition to Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also clashed with Musk over the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) layoffs. Musk accused Duffy of lying, while Duffy insisted that Musk's team tried to fire the air traffic controller. Eventually, Trump asked Duffy to hire a "genius" from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) as an air traffic controller.
"Scalpel" replaces "machete": layoff strategy adjustment
Trump made it clear on social media that the next phase of the federal layoffs will take a more refined "scalpel" approach, rather than Musk's previous "machete" approach. Behind this shift is growing unease within the Republican Party about the pace and scope of DOGE's layoffs.
Musk-led layoffs have reportedly involved at least 20,000 federal employees, sparking protests in many places. House Speaker Mike Johnson even advised Republican members to avoid face-to-face meetings in their districts. Under pressure, Musk had to provide personal phone numbers to some Republican senators to ease party discontent.
In addition to political pressure, DOGE's layoffs also face legal challenges. According to media reports, a federal judge has barred the Office of Personnel Management from terminating probationary employees in specific departments. A number of laid off employees of the National Science Foundation and the National Nuclear Safety Administration have also been rehired.
Reshaping power: Cabinet ministers return to power
The New York Times noted last Thursday's meeting as a potential turning point in the first weeks of Trump's second term. Trump made it clear that future ministers in various departments will be responsible for layoffs, and Musk's team will only provide advice.
Although Musk remains Trump's biggest political donor, his power in government reform has been significantly diminished. The New York Times, citing people familiar with the matter, said that the meeting exposed tensions within Trump's team, with cabinet members generally frustrated by Musk's team's approach to "subverting the government."
The Way Forward: Collaboration or Break?
Despite Trump's attempts to balance the interests of all parties at the meeting, the contradictions between Musk and cabinet members have become public. Musk claimed on X that the meeting was "productive," but the New York Times noted that he was "less enthusiastic" inside the venue.
It's unclear where the Trump administration's relationship with Musk will go. But what is certain is that last Thursday's meeting marked a major turning point in the relationship. Trump's change of attitude towards Musk and the resistance of cabinet ministers to the DOGE project all indicate that the US government will face more power games and policy adjustments in the future.