During his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, February 26, former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to his Cabinet members, stating that anyone who does not respect Elon Musk would be “thrown out.” Trump praised Musk, calling him “tremendously successful” and highlighting his leadership at DOGE, which reportedly saved American taxpayers $65 billion through job cuts and program reductions. Trump emphasized Musk’s sacrifices and contributions, dismissing reports of dissatisfaction among Cabinet members regarding Musk’s influence.
When pressed by reporters about alleged tensions, Trump challenged his Cabinet directly, asking, “Anybody unhappy with Elon? If you are, we’ll throw them out of here.” Cabinet members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, quickly shook their heads in agreement. Trump asserted that his Cabinet holds “a lot of respect” for Musk, adding, “Some disagree a little bit but for the most part, I think everyone is not only happy, they’re thrilled.”
Musk, who was also present, praised Trump’s Cabinet as “the best ever, literally,” calling it an “incredible group of people” and expressing gratitude for their efforts.
However, reports from CNN suggested that Musk’s aggressive management style, including a directive requiring federal employees to respond to an email asking, “What did you do last week?” under threat of termination, had caused frustration among Cabinet secretaries and Congress members. A senior White House official anonymously confirmed that many agencies were caught off guard by the directive, leading to “headaches.”
White House Press Secretary Sarah Leavitt dismissed these claims during a briefing, stating that “nobody was caught off guard” and attributing the reports to “anonymous sources, probably career bureaucrats.” She emphasized that Cabinet secretaries had acted in the interest of national security by instructing their staff not to respond to Musk’s email if it risked exposing confidential information.
The incident highlights the dynamic between Trump, Musk, and the Cabinet, showcasing Trump’s unwavering support for Musk while also revealing underlying tensions within the administration over Musk’s unconventional methods and influence.
