Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
President Donald Trump has denied reports of a heated clash between Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a recent Cabinet meeting.
The alleged beef: Reports have circulated that Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio got into a heated exchange during a Cabinet meeting hosted by President Donald Trump. According to sources, Musk criticized Rubio for not making deeper staffing cuts at the State Department, arguing that the agency remained bloated despite the administration’s push for government efficiency. Rubio pushed back, accusing Musk of making misleading claims and questioning whether rehiring staff only to fire them again would count as meaningful layoffs. As the argument escalated, Trump intervened, praised Rubio’s performance, and reminded Musk that staffing decisions rest with Cabinet members, not him.
Musk also reportedly clashed with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Duffy claimed that Musk had attempted to fire air traffic controllers, a statement Musk called false. The debate intensified when Musk questioned whether FAA hiring practices were influenced by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, prompting Duffy to push back. Trump stepped in again, redirecting the discussion and suggesting the FAA recruit top MIT engineers to improve efficiency. Despite these disputes, the White House later characterized the meeting as a productive discussion focused on reducing government inefficiencies and retaining only the most valuable employees.
President Donald Trump has downplayed reports of tensions, insisting there was no major issue during the Cabinet meeting. When asked about the alleged clash, he dismissed the claims, saying, “No clash, I was there, you’re just a troublemaker.” He insisted that Musk and Rubio are doing a “fantastic job” and “get along great.”
When pressed again about Musk’s influence over government staffing decisions, he avoided a direct answer, instead reiterating, “Marco has done unbelievably as Secretary of State. And Elon is a unique guy, he’s done a fantastic job.”
