**Trump's Cabinet Clash: Is Musk's Influence Waning?**

**In a fiery cabinet meeting, President Trump reassured cabinet secretaries of their authority over Elon Musk’s controversial Doge initiatives, indicating a potential shift in influence.**

In a recent cabinet meeting that turned contentious, President Donald Trump convened his secretaries to address the growing tensions between them and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. During the discussion, Musk reportedly criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio for not making deeper cuts to personnel at the State Department, as reported by the New York Times. Musk's caustic remarks about Rubio's media presence overshadowed any acknowledgment of his diplomatic efforts.

The meeting escalated further as Musk clashed with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over the controversial decisions made by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) regarding layoffs among air traffic controllers, who are already scarce. The exchanges prompted Trump to intervene and clarify that while he continues to endorse Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives, cabinet secretaries would ultimately govern their departments and Musk’s team would serve solely as advisors moving forward.

A spokesperson for the State Department stated that Rubio considered the cabinet meeting a productive dialogue, while the White House has yet to comment officially. This meeting might signal a turning point in the Trump administration's early embrace of Musk's ambitious plans as the president appears to want a tighter grip on governmental operations.

Trump’s post-meeting comments on his social platform, Truth Social, emphasized his direction for cabinet members to work closely with Doge on precise cost-reduction strategies. He encouraged a careful approach to staffing choices by employing a "scalpel" instead of a "hatchet," indicating a desire for more cautious decision-making going forward.

Despite Musk's earlier bold public displays, such as brandishing a chainsaw at a conservative conference to symbolize aggressive spending cuts, the administration's internal upheaval marks a notable shift. Musk’s team had previously communicated directly with government employees via official channels, urging them to resign in exchange for pay—an initiative that many agencies attempted to backtrack on once deemed necessary personnel were affected.

Following the diplomatic dust-up, Trump publicly downplayed the incident, claiming a positive rapport between Musk and Rubio. However, his subsequent comments suggest a newly formed boundary regarding the extent of Musk's influence in government affairs. Legal concerns have been mounting regarding Musk's authority as a non-confirmed official, which may have prompted Trump’s actions to delineate roles more clearly.

As speculation lingers about the durability of the alliance between Musk and Trump, both figures were seen together recently as they traveled on Air Force One, symbolizing an enduring partnership despite recent fissures. While the cabinet meeting revealed potential cracks in Musk's influence, it remains evident that Trump continues to support his broader vision, albeit with a more restrained approach moving forward.