Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk

Contact Your Elected Officials
The New York Times Header

Simmering anger at the billionaire’s unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.

Marco Rubio was incensed. Here he was in the Cabinet Room of the White House, the secretary of state, seated beside the president and listening to a litany of attacks from the richest man in the world.

Seated diagonally opposite, across the elliptical mahogany table, Elon Musk was letting Mr. Rubio have it, accusing him of failing to slash his staff.

You have fired “nobody,” Mr. Musk told Mr. Rubio, then scornfully added that perhaps the only person he had fired was a staff member from Mr. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Mr. Rubio had been privately furious with Mr. Musk for weeks, ever since his team effectively shuttered an entire agency that was supposedly under Mr. Rubio’s control: the United States Agency for International Development. But, in the extraordinary cabinet meeting on Thursday in front of President Trump and around 20 others — details of which have not been reported before — Mr. Rubio got his grievances off his chest.

Mr. Musk was not being truthful, Mr. Rubio said. What about the more than 1,500 State Department officials who took early retirement in buyouts? Didn’t they count as layoffs? He asked, sarcastically, whether Mr. Musk wanted him to rehire all those people just so he could make a show of firing them again. Then he laid out his detailed plans for reorganizing the State Department.

Mr. Musk was unimpressed. He told Mr. Rubio he was “good on TV,” with the clear subtext being that he was not good for much else. Throughout all of this, the president sat back in his chair, arms folded, as if he were watching a tennis match.

After the argument dragged on for an uncomfortable time, Mr. Trump finally intervened to defend Mr. Rubio as doing a “great job.” Mr. Rubio has a lot to deal with, the president said. He is very busy, he is always traveling and on TV, and he has an agency to run. So everyone just needs to work together.

By Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman

Read Full Article on NYTimes.com

Read Full Article

The New York Times
The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/
The New York Times brings you unparalleled access to the people and events shaping our world today. we tell stories In a range of formats to fit your lifestyle.

Shut it Down – Shut it Down

Shut down and dismantle every federal agency not essential to citizens' life, health, or liberty — phase them out and end their power. permanently!

Conservatism’s Diverse Meanings

Conservatives in America often seem united, but major differences exist, creating the false impression that "conservative" means the same to everyone..

Illegal Alien Iowa School Superintendent Exposed

There is an interesting story developing in Iowa, the...

Was Scandinavia’s Russian Drone Scare A False Flag To Crack Down On Russia’s Shadow Fleet?

Insight strongly suggests that Scandinavia’s Russian drone scare was indeed a false flag to justify cracking down on Russia’s “shadow fleet”,

77% of U.S. Counties Record ‘Notable Declines’ in Child Vaxx Rates

Vast majority of counties across the US are experiencing declining rates of childhood vaccination and have been for years, says NBC News investigation.

Impact of Government Shutdown on Social Security: What to Know

SSA made it clear that retirement, survivor, and disability benefits are not subject to annual budget fights and will continue to be paid on time.

No Change to Immigration, Border Policy During Government Shutdown: ICE

ICE officials said that border and immigration enforcement will not be affected by the government shutdown that began on Oct. 1.

Musk Urges Netflix Boycott Over ‘Transgender Woke Agenda’ in Kids’ Shows

Elon Musk is urging parents to boycott Netflix, accusing the streaming giant of pushing a “transgender woke agenda” on children.

Walmart Says It Is Removing Dyes From Food Brands

Walmart is going to eliminate synthetic dyes and some other artificial additives from products it sells under its own brands, including Great Value.

White House Withdraws EJ Antoni’s Nomination to Lead Bureau of Labor Statistics

The White House has withdrawn economist EJ Antoni’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the White House confirmed on Sept. 30.

US to Impose 100 Percent Tariffs on Foreign-Made Movies, Trump Says

President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 29 that he will impose a 100 percent tariff on all movies produced outside the United States.

Trump to Host Netanyahu at White House to Discuss Gaza Peace Plan

President Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House on Sept. 29 to discuss a ceasefire and broader peace plan for Gaza.

Trump Announces New Tariffs on Heavy Trucks, Drugs, Kitchen Cabinets, Other Products

President Trump will impose new tariffs next month on heavy trucks, branded drugs, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and related products.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central