Secretary of State Marco Rubio and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk engaged in a heated exchange during a Cabinet meeting led by President Trump. The confrontation highlighted growing tensions between the two influential figures, with Musk openly criticizing Rubio’s leadership of the State Department.
Musk, who runs six major companies and is one of Trump’s closest advisers, reportedly scolded Rubio for failing to cut more jobs at the State Department, accusing him of being “good on TV” but ineffective in his role. According to The New York Times, five sources familiar with the meeting confirmed the clash, noting that Musk has been increasingly vocal about his frustration with the administration’s handling of government downsizing.
Privately, Rubio has been “furious” with Musk, particularly over efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—the agency responsible for managing billions in foreign aid and security assistance across more than 100 countries. The proposed cuts have sparked intense debate within the administration, with Rubio reportedly pushing back against efforts to eliminate key diplomatic programs.
During Thursday’s meeting, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not attend, Rubio directly confronted Musk, challenging his claims. He pointed out that over 1,500 State Department employees had already accepted early retirement packages and questioned whether they should be rehired only to be laid off again just to meet downsizing quotas. His remarks were seen as a sharp rebuke of Musk’s aggressive stance on government job cuts.
As tensions escalated, President Trump intervened to support Rubio, praising him for doing a “great job” despite balancing a demanding schedule filled with diplomatic responsibilities and frequent media appearances. The president’s comments signaled his backing of Rubio, even as Musk continues to push for deeper cuts in federal agencies.
Following the meeting, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a statement framing the discussion as constructive. “Secretary Rubio considered the meeting an open and productive discussion with a dynamic team that is united in achieving the same goal: making America great again,” she said.
The confrontation underscores growing friction within the Trump administration, as key figures debate how far to go in reshaping the federal government, with Musk advocating for aggressive cuts while Rubio defends the need for maintaining essential diplomatic functions.