Live updates: Trump to hold first Cabinet meeting, with Elon Musk in attendance
NBCMAR 12
Musk Takes Center Stage at Trump's First Cabinet Meeting
Above: US President Donald Trump speaks during the first Cabinet meeting of his second term with Elon Musk in attendance, on Feb. 26, 2025. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford /The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Aggressive government downsizing and restructuring efforts are essential to prevent America from going bankrupt, with the DOGE program already identifying potential trillion-dollar savings through necessary workforce reductions and efficiency improvements.
Democratic narrative
Mass employment termination threats and arbitrary email requirements violate labor rights, while the dismantling of critical public services serves an ideological agenda rather than genuine efficiency goals, putting sensitive data security at risk.