US President Donald Trump convened his first cabinet meeting of his second term on Wednesday, with billionaire Elon Musk joining the discussion as a “senior adviser to the president.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Musk’s attendance, highlighting his role as a “special government employee” overseeing the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Tasked with cutting federal spending and streamlining operations, Musk’s presence signals Trump’s aggressive push to overhaul Washington bureaucracy.
While Musk holds no official cabinet position, his influence is already being felt. He has spearheaded controversial measures, including demanding that federal employees justify their roles or risk termination. His participation in the cabinet meeting underscores his growing power in the Trump administration, fueling speculation about how much sway the world’s richest man will have over government decision-making.
The meeting is expected to set the course for Trump’s second term, with Musk advocating for deep spending cuts and structural reforms.