President Donald Trump “touches” billionaire Elon Musk

 Billionaire Elon Musk’s “power is limited” as the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by him is behind a series of large-scale layoffs.

NBC News said that President Donald Trump himself set the limits for Mr. Musk in a cabinet meeting on March 6 (US time).

Accordingly, the White House boss emphasized that DOGE and Mr. Musk’s team only have a recommendation role, while the final decision on personnel and policies belongs to the ministers.

President Donald Trump meets with most US ministers at the White House on March 6. Photo: White House

The meeting was attended by the world’s richest man and ministers in President Donald Trump’s administration.

“We just had a very positive meeting with most of the Secretaries, including Elon,” President Donald Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social. “It’s important that we cut back to what’s necessary, but it’s equally important that we keep the best and most effective people.”

“When secretaries get to know and understand the people working in different departments, they can determine exactly who stays and who goes. The cuts will be done selectively and carefully, rather than indiscriminately mass layoffs,” the US leader added.

The meeting comes after a series of massive layoffs across the federal government pushed by billionaire Musk that have led to lawsuits, voter anxiety and growing concern within the Republican Party.

“President Donald Trump’s message is also a rare public act to limit the power of close ally Elon Musk” – NBC News commented.

However, after the meeting, President Donald Trump still praised billionaire Musk and DOGE: “I think they did a great job.”

The US president also hinted that Mr Musk would step in if ministers failed to fully implement the plan and cut measures. “If they don’t do it, Elon will be the one to cut.”

Billionaire Elon Musk wrote on X that “the meeting was very productive.”

This is the second time billionaire Musk has attended a cabinet meeting of President Donald Trump’s administration.

The first meeting took place last month, and billionaire Musk described DOGE as having a “support function” to help federal agencies “find ways to reduce fraud and waste by 15%.