Vice President JD Vance has shed light on the reported tension during a recent cabinet meeting that tech billionaire Elon Musk reportedly attended, leaving Senator Marco Rubio “furious.” Speaking on Fox News, Vance downplayed the alleged friction, stating, “I don’t think there’s tension. There’s certainly disagreement from time to time.
However, the meeting has sparked speculation about power struggles within the administration, particularly between Rubio, Musk, and other officials overseeing USAID budget cuts. Vance expressed frustration that details of the meeting were leaked, suggesting that internal conversations should remain private to facilitate problem-solving.
The incident reportedly occurred during President Donald Trump’s first official cabinet meeting, where Musk, though not a formal member of the cabinet, was seen striding around the room as cabinet members looked on with stern expressions.
According to reports, Musk and Rubio clashed during the meeting, with Musk allegedly making dismissive comments about Rubio’s leadership, telling him he was “good on TV” but had fired “nobody.
The New York Times claimed that Rubio had been privately upset with Musk for weeks, particularly over changes Musk made to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which falls under Rubio’s oversight.
Despite the reports, both Musk and Rubio publicly denied any conflict. Musk tweeted a conciliatory message, saying, “Good working with you,” in response to Rubio’s announcement about the budget cuts, which Musk described as “tough, but necessary.
President Trump also dismissed the allegations, telling reporters, “No clash. I was there. You are not supposed to be asking that question because we are talking about the World Cup.” He added, “Elon gets along great with Marco, and they are both doing a fantastic job.”
The incident highlights the challenges of managing a high-profile administration with strong personalities and differing priorities. While the public denials suggest a united front, the leaked details of the meeting have fueled speculation about internal discord and the complexities of balancing competing interests within the government. As the administration continues to navigate these dynamics, the focus remains on achieving its policy goals while maintaining cohesion among its key players.
