President Donald Trump held his first official Cabinet meeting since beginning his second term, marking a significant moment in his administration. During the meeting, the focus was on a wide range of topics, including efforts to reform government efficiency and tackle fiscal challenges.
One of the most notable participants in the meeting was Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to the President and heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As Musk stood up to address the Cabinet, he introduced himself as the “tech support” for the government, explaining that DOGE was working hard to modernize outdated government systems. Musk emphasized the importance of fixing the “broken” computer systems, which he noted were riddled with mistakes and outdated software. According to Musk, many of the systems were not properly communicating with one another, which was causing inefficiency across the board.
At one point during the meeting, a reporter asked Trump if any of his Cabinet members had received complaints about Musk or the goals of DOGE. Trump responded humorously, asking, “Hey Elon, let the Cabinet speak for a second. Is anyone unhappy with Elon? If you are, we’ll throw him out of here. Anyone unhappy?” His comment was met with laughter from everyone in the room, highlighting the lighthearted atmosphere of the discussion.
Musk continued his remarks by explaining the larger goals of DOGE and the urgent need for reform. He addressed the country’s growing fiscal problems, specifically pointing to the two-trillion-dollar deficit and the fact that interest on the national debt now exceeded the entire defense budget. Musk argued that if the current trend continued, the country would inevitably face bankruptcy. He stressed that taking action now was essential to avoid a financial collapse. Musk’s candid and somewhat alarming assessment was tempered by humor when he joked about receiving death threats, but he emphasized that action had to be taken in order to ensure America’s financial stability.
Musk also talked about the importance of reducing government waste, fraud, and inefficiency. He explained that DOGE was aiming for a 15% reduction in such issues, which could lead to significant savings—approximately 15% of the federal budget, or roughly seven trillion dollars. According to Musk, achieving these savings would require the cooperation of everyone in the room, and he thanked the Cabinet for their support. He highlighted that while perfection was not always achievable, the government was committed to correcting mistakes quickly and ensuring that waste was addressed as soon as it was identified.
WATCH:
The Cabinet meeting also covered other important matters, including foreign relations and economic policy. Trump confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be visiting the White House on Friday to sign an agreement regarding natural resources and rebuilding Ukraine following the ongoing war with Russia. Trump expressed confidence in the progress made with Ukraine, stating that the U.S. had managed to secure a deal that would benefit both nations. Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. would receive rare earth minerals from Ukraine, which are critical for various industries, including defense and technology. The deal also included provisions for Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts, with the U.S. playing a key role in funding and assisting in the reconstruction process.
Trump praised the work of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in securing the deal. He added that this agreement would also allow the U.S. to recover some of its financial investments in Ukraine and secure future profits. The President emphasized that the deal was a win for both nations and a step forward in strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine.
As the meeting continued, the conversation shifted back to the efforts of DOGE and the steps being taken to improve government efficiency. Musk reiterated that the government needed to modernize its systems and reduce inefficiencies in order to avoid further economic problems. He concluded by thanking everyone in the room for their continued support and cooperation in these efforts.
