In a bid to address Republican concerns over Elon Musk’s broad powers, President Trump has ordered his cabinet to oversee staffing at their respective agencies.
President Donald Trump emphasized that agency heads have the final say in making cuts and hiring decisions during a nearly 90-minute meeting with agency heads on March 4. He stated, ‘Keep all the people you want, everybody that you need.’ The president also mentioned that his administration would be using a ‘scalpel‘ to make cuts going forward, rather than a ‘chainsaw.’
The meeting was part of an effort by the White House to address concerns from Republicans and business leaders about Musk’s broad powers. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been working closely with Musk to soften the rough edges of some of his more controversial decisions.
As CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, 'Elon Musk' has amassed significant power in the technology and automotive industries.
He is also the founder of Neuralink and The Boring Company, further expanding his influence.
With a net worth exceeding $200 billion, Musk's business empire has created thousands of jobs and revolutionized transportation and space exploration.
His Twitter presence has also made him a prominent figure in global news and politics.
Some Republican senators, including Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, have been critical of Musk’s efforts to make significant cuts without adequate explanation or process. They asked Musk to explain how DOGE would help correct mistakes made by department heads. Musk has also become one of the biggest political benefactors for Republicans, but some lawmakers are still expressing concerns about his influence and decision-making processes.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has been increasingly involved in politics, particularly with the Republican Party.
He has publicly endorsed several Republican candidates, including Ron DeSantis for Governor of Florida.
Musk's influence on Republicans stems from his business acumen and innovative ideas, which have resonated with conservative voters.
According to a 2022 survey, 54% of Republicans view Musk favorably, while 22% hold an unfavorable opinion.
Musk's Twitter presence has also made him a vocal advocate for Republican policies, sparking controversy and debate among Democrats and independents.
In a move to address these concerns, President Trump directed his cabinet to oversee staffing at their respective agencies. This comes after Elon Musk‘s efforts to slash the size and spending of the federal government. Despite Musk’s expected recommendations on agency cuts, it is clear that department heads will have the final say. If they fail to make sufficient reductions, ‘Musk will intervene.’
Elon Musk has been a vocal advocate for reducing government spending, particularly in the areas of defense and social welfare programs.
In 2020, he proposed a plan to slash government spending by 50% through a combination of budget cuts and privatization.
According to Musk, this would not only reduce the national debt but also free up resources for more pressing issues such as climate change and space exploration.
However, critics argue that his proposal lacks detail and could have unintended consequences on vulnerable populations.
