Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, took the stage on Wednesday at the first cabinet meeting of President Donald Trump’s second term, despite not being a government member. The meeting, held at the White House, began with a session of questions and answers with the press, which stretched for more than an hour before Trump’s on-camera meeting with his cabinet members.

During the press session, Trump quickly introduced Musk, who had been tasked with reducing public spending. When asked to summarize his activities, Musk, known for his radical approach, stated that his team’s role was primarily “technical support for government IT systems.” This new task description aligns with the Trump administration’s approach, which minimizes its role in court proceedings examining the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE).

Initially presented as a major official of the DOGE, Musk is now described as a “Government special employee” who does not administer the DOGE and is no longer one of its employees. Musk also addressed the ultimatum sent to all federal employees, requiring them to justify their work in an email or face termination. The directive, sent on Saturday, caused confusion and contradictory orders in certain departments.

Musk defended his email, stating it was misunderstood. “I think it was first interpreted as an evaluation of performance, but it was in fact a pulse verification. Do you have a pulse? Do you have a pulse and two neurons?” he said. Musk emphasized that the directive aimed to identify “dead” or “fictitious” employees. “If you have a pulse and two neurons, you can respond to an email. I think the bar is not very high,” he added, indicating that a new email would be sent to employees.

Musk continued, “We believe that a number of people employed by the government have died. This is probably why they cannot answer. There are also people who are not real, who are literally fictitious individuals who perceive pay checks.” This argument echoes Musk’s previous statements about social assistance beneficiaries.

Trump repeated that half of the 2 million federal employees had not responded to the email. “These people are in a precarious situation […] maybe they will leave,” he said. Musk assured, “We will make mistakes, but we will correct them quickly,” citing the accidental cancellation of Ebola virus disease prevention programs as an example.

Musk, who is not elected and does not hold a Senate-confirmed position, plays a considerable role in the Trump administration. Trump praised Musk on his Truth Social network, stating, “All members of the cabinet are extremely happy with Elon.” He added, “The media will realize this at the meeting of the cabinet this morning!”

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that Musk would be present “To talk about the efforts of the DOGE and the way in which all cabinet secretaries identify waste, fraud, and abuse in their respective agencies.”

In recent days, several citizens have participated in citizen assemblies organized by elected officials from Congress, including Republican representatives, to express their dissatisfaction with the massive cuts made by Musk’s team in programs and staff. According to Fox News, an increasing number of elected Republicans are frustrated by Musk’s muscular approach. “We are thrown into the pasture to the wolves, while Elon is content to tweet,” said one Republican representative to the network.

Trump Confirms Visit of Ukrainian President Zelensky

At the start of the meeting, Trump confirmed the visit of his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, scheduled for Friday. He also repeated that the role of ensuring Kyiv’s safety should return to Europe. Several media outlets reported that Kyiv and Washington had agreed on the framework of an agreement on Ukrainian mineral resources after strong pressure exerted by Trump in recent weeks.

When asked if his foreign policy stipulated that China should never take control of Taiwan by force, Trump refused to specify his position. “I never comment on this. I never want to put myself in this position,” he said, adding that he had excellent relations with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.

Trump also discussed a wide range of subjects, from the conflict in Gaza to his desire to see Canada become an American state via the “golden cards” intended for future wealthy permanent residents. “The European Union has been created to abuse the United States,” he argued, saying he had decided to set the customs duties that will be imposed on the countries of the European Union.

Public Reaction and Implications

The public reaction to Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has been mixed. While some praise his innovative approach to government efficiency, others criticize his radical methods and the confusion they cause. The ultimatum sent to federal employees has sparked debates about the role of government oversight and the potential for job insecurity.

Critics argue that Musk’s approach could lead to a loss of experienced personnel and disruption in essential government services. Supporters, however, see it as a necessary step to streamline government operations and reduce waste.

Future Developments

As the Trump administration continues to implement its policies, the role of figures like Elon Musk will be closely watched. The impact of Musk’s initiatives on government efficiency and public service delivery will be crucial in shaping future policies. The administration’s approach to foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and China, will also be a focal point for international observers.