Trump’s Cabinet Meeting: The Stage for Musk’s Rising Influence | CNN Politics

CNN —

If there were doubts about who holds the real power in President Donald Trump’s administration, the first Cabinet meeting last Wednesday cleared that up. It showed that the Cabinet members themselves aren’t running the show.

During the hour-long meeting, many high-ranking officials sat quietly, even though some planned to say a few words. Instead, Trump quickly turned the floor over to Elon Musk, the billionaire known for reforming various industries.

As of now, Musk has become Trump’s most influential adviser. His plans to overhaul the federal government have sparked mixed reactions, including some grumbling from Trump’s allies over his bold methods. However, Trump appears pleased with Musk’s aggressive approach.

At one point in the meeting, Trump asked, “Is anybody unhappy with Elon?” This set the tone for the meeting, indicating that dissent was not welcomed.

The Cabinet members, who are usually at the forefront, took a back seat during this meeting. Musk spoke significantly more than anyone else, and it took nearly an hour before Trump even invited Vice President JD Vance to share his thoughts, which were brief. In reality, the officials seemed more like props than participants.

Musk, sitting in the shadows, spoke longer than anyone else in the room. The Cabinet members — tasked with leading vital departments — congregated in their assigned seats but often stayed silent. Musk, however, appeared relaxed in his black wool coat and signature hat, a stark contrast to the formal attire worn by other attendees.

Musk’s role goes beyond just offering insights. He leads a team aimed at revamping the government’s tech systems. His crew of young engineers is working across various departments, inspecting operations and justifying the roles of federal employees. Their mission aims to streamline operations, cutting what is deemed unnecessary or ineffective.

Most Cabinet members support Musk’s goals of reducing the government’s size. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins even reported on her contributions to this effort. However, Musk’s latest directive requiring a detailed work report from all federal employees initially ruffled some feathers, as it directly challenged existing protocols.

He explained that part of this initiative involved identifying individuals on the payroll who may no longer be alive. Musk referred to a recent email sent to the federal workforce as a “pulse check” rather than a performance review.

Despite acknowledging some potential concerns from his Cabinet, Trump made it clear that Musk’s authority is substantial, and there wouldn’t be much room for opposition. Trump expressed that most were excited about Musk’s involvement.

While a typical Cabinet meeting might focus on critical national issues, this gathering seemed more like a spotlight on the Trump-Musk dynamic. The event was mostly about showcasing Musk’s growing role and influence within the administration.

As Trump elaborated on various topics, including budget cuts to significant social programs, he confirmed upcoming visits from key figures like Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. This meeting marked another unique point in Trump’s presidency, where the refreshingly informal interactions overshadowed traditional governance protocols.

Overall, this meeting reflected a significant shift in power dynamics, with Musk now playing a crucial role in shaping the administration’s agenda and strategies.