February 27, 2025: US President Donald Trump convened the first Cabinet meeting of his new term, and in an unusual turn of events, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was present at the table. Musk, co-chair of the newly formed ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ (DOGE), stood next to Trump wearing a ‘Tech Support’ t-shirt and a ‘Make America Great Again’ campaign hat.

Musk, who has been an outspoken supporter of cost-cutting in government operations, described his role as a “humble tech support” for the federal government. He emphasized that his team’s work was crucial to preventing financial collapse, stating, “If we fail, America will go bankrupt.” Trump echoed Musk’s sentiments, expressing his support and praising him for uncovering “horrible things” within the government’s operations.

One of the key highlights from Musk’s remarks was the unintended consequences of aggressive budget cuts. He admitted that while slashing government spending, DOGE had briefly canceled an essential Ebola prevention grant under the US Agency for International Development (USAID). However, the funding was quickly restored after recognizing the oversight.

Beyond Musk’s involvement, the meeting also touched on major policy issues, including NATO and Ukraine. Trump reaffirmed his stance on reducing US commitments to NATO, a move that could have significant geopolitical ramifications. He suggested that Ukraine should not expect continued financial or military support, reinforcing his long-standing ‘America First’ policy.

With Musk taking center stage at the meeting, his influence on the Trump administration appears to be growing. As DOGE moves forward with its cost-cutting measures, all eyes will be on how these policies impact both domestic governance and international relations.