Washington, DC – President Donald Trump convened the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, drawing attention with the presence of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Despite not holding a formal government position, Musk co-chairs the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and is playing a crucial role in shaping policy decisions.
Dressed in a “Tech Support” t-shirt and a MAGA campaign hat, Musk stood alongside Trump, discussing government spending cuts. Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his stance against Ukraine joining NATO and introduced a controversial $5 million “Gold Card” visa program.
1. Elon Musk’s Expanding Role in Trump’s Administration
Musk, now a significant player in Trump’s administration, described his position as “humble tech support” but made bold statements on government financial stability.
“If we fail to reduce spending, America faces bankruptcy,” Musk warned while defending budget-cutting initiatives.
2. Federal Layoffs & Budget Cuts Led by Musk
The Trump administration has initiated widespread job cuts across federal agencies, with Musk spearheading the effort.
A White House memo instructed agencies to submit workforce reduction plans by March 13, signaling deep cuts in multiple sectors:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Plans to reduce 65% of its workforce.
- US Fish and Wildlife Service & Bureau of Indian Affairs: Expected cuts of up to 40%.
- Federal Budget Reduction: Musk proposed slashing $1 trillion within the year.
Musk acknowledged some errors in the process, referencing the unintended cancellation of Ebola prevention grants, which were later reinstated.
“In addition to cutting Ebola prevention, we briefly cut other things. We all agree it’s necessary, so we restored it immediately,” Musk stated.
3. Controversial Federal Employee Reporting Rule
Musk introduced a new requirement for federal employees to submit weekly work reports listing five key accomplishments. Non-compliance could lead to termination.
Following backlash, the administration adjusted the timeline, but Musk stood firm:
“The President may fire them if they fail to respond twice.”
He defended the policy, claiming it would identify payroll fraud.
“We suspect some employees are either deceased or not actually working. This is a simple pulse check—if they’re real, they can send an email,” Musk explained.
4. Donald Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ Visa: $5 million to become a US citizen
Trump proposed a new “Gold Card” visa, replacing the EB-5 investor program. Those who have a net worth of $5 million can apply for US residency through the initiative.
- Projected revenue: $5 trillion if 1 million visas are sold.
- No congressional approval needed, according to Trump.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the program would replace the EB-5 visa, citing oversight issues.
In Trump’s opinion, “it will sell like crazy.”.
5. Trump’s NATO Stance: No Membership for Ukraine
In a significant foreign policy shift, Trump ruled out Ukraine’s NATO membership, stating that the US would not offer security guarantees.
“NATO? Forget about it. That’s probably what started the war in the first place,” Trump remarked.
With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to visit Washington, Trump clarified that the US would provide support but not military guarantees.
“We’ll be involved, but no promises. In his view, Europe must take action,” he said.
He also criticized NATO allies, emphasizing that European nations should take more responsibility for their security.
6. Trade Tariffs on Canada & Mexico Set for April
Trump announced that a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico will take effect on April 2, reversing an earlier delay.
- The tariffs follow recent border security agreements with both nations.
- Commerce Secretary Lutnick suggested more reciprocal tariffs, particularly related to drug trafficking concerns.
Final Thoughts: Trump & Musk’s Growing Influence
As Trump’s second term unfolds, Elon Musk’s role in shaping government policies is becoming increasingly evident. While his cost-cutting measures have faced criticism, Trump remains committed to their partnership.
With major layoffs, a new visa program, and significant foreign policy shifts, the first Trump Cabinet Meeting 2025 set the stage for an aggressive start to the administration—one where Musk’s influence is more prominent than expected.
