Featured Image Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Contributor / Getty
President Donald Trump seems to be corralling his senior staff and making a vocal declaration that Elon Musk isn't going anywhere.
The tech billionaire was recently appointed as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, and although that only includes status as a 'special government employee', that hasn't stopped him from attending cabinet meetings at the White House.
Despite grumbles from some in the government about Elon Musk's place at the side of the POTUS, Trump previously joked about throwing out anyone who didn't agree with the world's richest man's work.
Trump has also downplayed rumors that Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been arguing, although The New York Times reported on an 'explosive' meeting also allegedly involving Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.
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A number of recent plane crashes have been linked to accusations that Musk's DOGE is slashing staff levels at air traffic control, with the outlet reporting that Duffy accused Musk's young staff of making the cuts.
Duffy reportedly said: “What am I supposed to do? I have multiple plane crashes to deal with now, and your people want me to fire air traffic controllers?”
Despite these rumored scandals, the latest White House cabinet meeting paints a very different picture.
Again warning against anyone thinking of harming a Tesla, the President added: "Elon, I want to thank you. I know you've been through a lot with this horrible situation that happened. Very unfair. What he is is a patriot...He's become a friend of mine."
Although he's changed outfits from his 'Tech Support' one, Musk sat among the POTUS' senior advisors while wearing a hat emblazoned with the phrase, "Trump was right about everything."
Whereas others sat behind name cards printed with their positions, Musk sat by one that simply had his name.
A gushing Trump continued: "He's a patriot more than anything else. He has never asked me for a thing he could have. I always say, I wonder if he's ever going to ask me for something, and that's always subject to change, and if it does change, I'll let you know about it."
It's evident that Musk is seen as a crucial part of the Trump administration, with the cabinet going around the room and heaping similar praise on the Tesla CEI.
During one moment, Duffy seems to have handed Musk a note that reads: "We had a great call. 100%." There's no further context on what was said in the call, although it suggests the pair have at least hashed out some of the differences they're accused of having.
Elsewhere, Duffy hinted at some of what was discussed between him and Musk when he outlined his plans to overhaul ATC. Mentioning how DOGE will undoubtedly question why this system hasn't already been implemented, Duffy said it's because it takes 'too long' with technology and administrations changing. He wants Congress to issue the money and get it done in the next three and a half years.
