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Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Clash Over Staffing Decisions
Tensions rise as Elon Musk criticizes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio over staffing decisions, with President Trump stepping in to support Rubio.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-08
Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Clash Over Staffing Decisions

The ongoing tensions between tech billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have escalated, with Musk openly criticizing Rubio during a cabinet meeting attended by former President Donald Trump.

According to a report by The New York Times, Musk expressed frustration over Rubio’s handling of staff reductions at the State Department. Musk claimed that Rubio had failed to downsize the department effectively and accused him of only firing one person—himself.

In response, Secretary Rubio dismissed Musk’s claims, suggesting sarcastically that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO wanted to rehire retired employees just to fire them again. The heated exchange reportedly caught the attention of Trump, who ultimately stepped in to mediate the situation.

Trump backed Rubio, affirming that the Secretary of State was performing well in his role. He clarified that hiring and firing decisions would remain under the authority of department heads, with the Department of Government Performance serving only in an advisory capacity.

Following Trump's intervention, Musk reportedly accepted the explanation and did not press further. However, the disagreement highlights a growing rift between Musk and key political figures within the Trump administration.
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USPolitics

ElonMusk

TrumpAdministration

MuskVsRubio
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