During a tense Cabinet meeting at the White House, President Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk faced off over recent actions related to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE).
In a heated Cabinet meeting, President Trump clashed with Elon Musk over controversial Dogecoin-related workforce decisions.
The meeting turned heated when Cabinet members confronted Musk about his decisions regarding staff layoffs tied to DOGE. Secretaries accused Musk of dishonesty and misrepresentation, sparking a fierce exchange.
Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, challenged Musk about the layoffs of air traffic controllers. He presented a spreadsheet that contradicted Musk's claims about workforce reductions. Duffy pointed out the national shortage of air traffic controllers, urging the need for a well-staffed department. Congressional oversight mechanisms like budget controls could be employed to monitor how these staffing decisions align with federal priorities.
Trump suggested recruiting controllers from MIT, emphasizing the importance of needing "geniuses" in air traffic control roles. Musk's recent ultimatum for federal workers to list accomplishments or face termination only added to the tension in the room.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins reported serious disruptions in VA hospital operations. He attributed these issues to layoffs Musk had overseen. Collins called for a more strategic approach to staffing, cautioning against arbitrary cuts that could harm veterans' services.
Trump supported Collins, voicing his concerns about the impact of sudden staffing changes. Index cards serve as a tool for decluttering thoughts and managing life goals, emphasizing the relevance of tactile methods for capturing fleeting ideas.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his frustration with Musk in private conversations leading up to the meeting. Musk accused Rubio of not making enough staff reductions. Rubio countered by pointing out that his department had already facilitated 1,500 early retirements through buyouts.
Trump stepped in to back Rubio's performance, highlighting the need for collaboration.
Throughout the confrontation, Trump maintained that staffing decisions rested with the secretaries, not Musk. He called for a "scalpel" approach rather than a "hatchet" in making cuts, stressing the importance of retaining capable employees.
After the meeting, he shared a summary of the discussions on social media.
The meeting signaled a public sign of discord within the Trump administration, with legal challenges looming over Musk's control efforts. High-ranking officials were resigning or facing layoffs, leaving ongoing challenges for the White House.
