Trump Tones Down Musk's Role in Government Efficiency Drive

President Donald Trump has advised his Cabinet secretaries to lead staffing and cost-cutting decisions, rather than Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

The Details: Trump informed his Cabinet secretaries that the ultimate decisions on "personnel, policy and the pacing of implementation" at their agencies are up to them. Cabinet officials will reportedly meet with DOGE every two weeks until the administration has completed its efforts to revamp the federal workforce. 

Key Quotes: "It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go. We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet.'"

For Context: In a recent CBS/YouGov poll, 54% of respondents said Musk and DOGE should have "a lot" or "some” influence over government spending and operations. But many early moves have been challenged in court, and thousands of fired employees across multiple agencies were quickly rehired. Track the latest cuts, firings, freezes, and rehirings on our live blog.

How The Media Covered It: NBC News (Lean Left bias) emphasized the backlash to DOGE's cuts, presenting Trump’s move as a public curtailing of Musk’s authority. Forbes (Center) suggested the move could potentially shield the Trump administration as it faces lawsuits challenging Musk's authority. The New York Post (Lean Right) emphasized Trump’s positive remarks about Musk and DOGE, portraying them as an "incredible success."  An editor revised and published this summary with the help of AllSides AI.