Speaking from the Oval Office after being pressed by the press on Friday, Trump was adamant: "No clash, I was there. Elon gets along great with Marco, and they're both doing a fantastic job. There is no clash."
The New York Times and CNN had reported that tensions ran high during Thursday's meeting, which was focused on sweeping cost-cutting measures across the federal government.
Musk, a key advisor in the restructuring efforts, reportedly clashed with senior officials, including Rubio, over staffing reductions.
The exchange turned contentious when Musk accused Rubio of not adequately reducing the federal workforce, stating that "nobody" had been fired. Rubio quickly countered, highlighting that over 1,500 State Department employees had opted for early retirement through buyout packages as part of the department's cost-saving measures.
The argument escalated further when Musk and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy disagreed over Musk's team allegedly attempting to lay off air traffic controllers.
Duffy emphasized the critical need for aviation safety amidst the ongoing restructuring, a point Musk denied. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick sided with Musk, while Duffy remained firm on his position regarding aviation oversight.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins is also reported to have expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of such cuts on veterans, urging a more strategic approach to the workforce reductions.
During the meeting, Trump appeared to sympathize with these concerns, asserting that efficiency measures should focus on retaining the best employees and eliminating inefficiencies, rather than indiscriminately slashing positions.
In response to mounting concerns from his cabinet members, Trump announced that department secretaries would take the lead in implementing workforce reductions, with Musk's team providing an advisory role.
Later, Trump used social media to clarify that future cuts would be approached with a "scalpel" rather than a "hatchet," signaling a more measured approach.
Musk, who attended the meeting in formal attire following previous criticism from Trump about his casual dress, later called the discussions "very productive."
Despite the reported tensions, White House officials insisted that the administration remained committed to improving government efficiency.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
