Trump dispels rumors about a bad relationship between Elon Musk and Marco Rubio

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, denied this Saturday the rumors circulating regarding a supposed poor relationship between the businessman and administrator of the White House Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Through a message on his platform Truth Social, Trump asserted that they maintain a good relationship and that any contrary claims are "fake news."

Elon and Marco have a great relationship. Any statement to the contrary is fake news!, DJT,” Trump stated in his brief statement.

Rumors of a possible tension between Musk and Rubio have emerged in recent days, following the cabinet meeting at the White House, when the founder of SpaceX criticized the Secretary of State for not having made significant layoffs in his department, suggesting that he had only fired one official from the DOGE.

Rubio, visibly upset, responded with sarcasm, asking if Musk expected him to rehire over 1,500 State Department officials only to publicly fire them again. He defended his administration, claiming that his team was efficiently reorganizing the department.

During the meeting, President Trump intervened to mediate the situation, acknowledging Rubio's responsibilities and travel agenda, while reiterating his support for Musk's strategy to reduce costs and staff in the administration.

Trump urged adopting a more strategic approach to cuts, suggesting the use of a "scalpel" instead of an "axe."

This confrontation is one of several episodes that reflect the internal tensions within the presidential team, highlighting power struggles and ego clashes among its members. Despite the controversy, the White House has attempted to downplay the incident, describing the meeting as a "productive" discussion.

Musk's growing influence in the administration and his radical methods to implement cuts have caused discomfort among several cabinet members, suggesting that the balance of power in the administration is still up for debate.

Since its inception, DOGE has implemented significant measures, including massive layoffs of federal employees and the elimination of certain government agencies.

For example, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has faced drastic measures.

The president Donald Trump ordered a near-total freeze on foreign aid, resulting in the dismissal or suspension of more than 1,000 employees and contractors from USAID.

Subsequently, Elon Musk announced the intention to close USAID, labeling it a "criminal organization" and "beyond any repair." At the same time, Marco Rubio declared himself the acting administrator of USAID and announced its merger with the Department of State, although the legality of these actions is disputed.

For February 6, it was reported that only 294 employees would be retained from a total of more than 10,000, representing a significant reduction in the agency's workforce.

These actions have generated controversy and criticism from federal employees and public administration experts, who question the legality and impact of these cuts on government effectiveness. Furthermore, legal challenges have been filed that question the authority and decisions of DOGE under Musk's leadership.

Despite the criticism, Musk defends the measures taken, arguing that the United States should not be governed by bureaucracy and that it is necessary to eliminate entire agencies to prevent their resurgence.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Relationship between Elon Musk and Marco Rubio in the Trump Administration