Trump Unveils Bold Cabinet Plans in First Meeting of His Second Term, Musk Promises a Tech Overhaul
At the first cabinet meeting of President Donald Trump’s second term, Elon Musk took center stage, delivering a forceful address about his efforts to drastically reduce government spending. As head of the newly minted and controversially named Department of Government Efficiency, Musk declared his mission was to stop America from going “bankrupt.” Despite widespread concern and internal pushback, Trump doubled down, insisting his team was “thrilled” by the sweeping reforms led by his billionaire advisor.
Sporting a black “Make America Great Again” cap, Musk stood before Trump’s inner circle at the White House and described the cost-cutting initiative as urgent and necessary. “America will go bankrupt if we don’t do this,” he said, noting that he’d received numerous death threats as a result of his actions. Then, in a moment of theatrics, he unzipped his jacket to reveal a black shirt with the words “Tech Support” printed in bold white letters—a nod to his claimed role as a humble helper, not a political force.
Musk praised the gathered officials, calling them “the best cabinet ever,” and denied media reports of internal unrest over his email campaign—messages sent to every federal employee requiring them to justify their roles or risk termination. The DOGE emails, named after his department, have caused confusion and backlash across government agencies. While some departments told staff to ignore the messages, Musk stood firm, and Trump echoed that sentiment, warning that unresponsive workers were “on the bubble.”
Sitting around a polished wooden table were several new and controversial members of Trump’s second-term cabinet, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Is anyone dissatisfied with Elon?” Trump joked. “If they are, we’ll throw them out.” The room erupted in laughter and applause. “Some disagree a little,” he added, “but I think everyone’s not only happy—they’re thrilled.”
Musk’s status remains technically advisory, yet his influence overshadows most official cabinet members. A towering presence in Trump’s orbit, he has become a de facto policymaker whose reach spans from federal budgets to space strategy. Musk’s involvement even prompted Trump to post on Truth Social: “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON,” seeking to dismiss rumors of friction.
The cabinet meeting served as a launchpad for Trump to celebrate what he described as a bold start to his second term. A newly structured press protocol allowed for a tightly controlled Q&A session with select media. During the event, Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would visit the White House to finalize a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. He also claimed progress in ending Russia’s war on Ukraine through direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin—moves that have alarmed U.S. allies.
Trump didn’t hold back on international relations. He accused the European Union of being “created to screw the United States” and declared plans to impose 25% tariffs on several European imports, a move certain to strain already fragile transatlantic ties.
The administration’s top officials—many selected for their personal loyalty to Trump—have drawn intense scrutiny. Despite public controversies, a Republican-led Senate confirmed them swiftly. Among the most polarizing figures are Hegseth, a former Fox News host facing sexual assault allegations; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has echoed Kremlin-aligned rhetoric; and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic.
Still, it is Musk—who reportedly donated $250 million to Trump’s reelection campaign—who wields the most unconventional power. As a self-styled disruptor, he appears more frequently at the president’s side than even the First Lady or Vice President JD Vance. Between his leadership of SpaceX, his influence over the U.S. space agenda, and his control of the social platform X, Musk’s imprint is embedded deep within the machinery of modern Washington.
His role defies precedent. Equal parts advisor, funder, and policy architect, Musk has transformed from tech titan to political powerhouse—an unelected figure whose sweeping authority is reshaping the federal government from the inside out.