Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick put a halt to NBC News host Kristen Welker’s repeated questions about who is “in charge” of the president’s cabinet on Sunday, as she appeared to be trying to drive a wedge between the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) Elon Musk and the rest of Trump’s administration.
President Donald Trump held a Cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss Musk’s official role and how federal agencies should work with him, however, some have suggested not all of Trump’s team approved of how Musk has handled his title. On “Meet the Press,” Welker repeatedly questioned Lutnick about the meeting, asking who Trump said was “in charge”— himself and the other Cabinet members or Musk.
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In his first response, Lutnick said that Trump did not “put him in charge,” however, Welker interrupted, pressing him again.
“But of your agency, who’s in charge of your agency? I understand that, but who is in charge of your agency, you or Elon Musk?” Welker asked.
“Elon Musk is your partner, he’s your partner in technology, he’s your partner in thought, he’s your partner in doing it. What President Trump made clear is that Elon is your partner, and that is what we’d like,” Lutnick responded. “You have the greatest businessman and greatest technologist in the world as my partner.”
Debates over Musk’s power arose after he announced on Feb. 22 that all federal employees would be asked to report the work they did throughout the previous week in a DOGE email, or they could submit their resignation.
Trump clarified during the meeting that Musk would be able to make recommendations to the departments but does not have the power to fire federal employees or make unilateral decisions on policy or personnel, according to Politico.
“You gotta ask me, what do I think? Thank God I would have Elon Musk come and help me,” Lutnick added. “There’s no one watching this TV right now who, if Elon Musk said he was gonna come over their house and help them, wouldn’t cheer. You have the best technologist and the richest guy in the world saying, ‘I’ll help you?’ Come on. We want his help.”
After being asked about alleged tension during the meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Musk, Trump dismissed the reporter’s question on Thursday.
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Prior to the gathering, Trump had emphasized his approval of cutting wasteful government spending, telling the group about the importance of working together to address “cost-cutting measures and staffing,” according to his Truth Social post.
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First published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
