Senate Republicans have made their stance against Trump’s team very clear.
Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) made it clear on Sunday that tech magnate Elon Musk doesn’t possess the authority to fire people. Speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” Scott remarked, “Elon Musk does not have the power to fire people. The President of the United States is Donald Trump, and it’s the heads of agencies who manage their departments. They have the decision-making power, and that’s exactly what Elon Musk has told me time and time again.”
Scott’s comments come after reports of a growing tension between Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Elon Musk during a Cabinet meeting last week. The New York Times reported that Musk criticized Rubio, particularly his handling of staffing at the State Department, accusing him of being “good on TV” but failing to reduce the department’s bloated workforce. Rubio, who has reportedly been frustrated with Musk for some time, especially over efforts like the Department of Government Efficiency’s push to shut down USAID, took issue with Musk’s remarks.
In response to Musk’s claims, Rubio pushed back, questioning whether over 1,500 State Department employees who had taken early retirement should be brought back just to be fired to meet Musk’s demands. The conversation highlighted the ongoing struggle within the government to balance fiscal responsibility with necessary diplomatic functions.
Senator Scott continued, emphasizing the importance of leadership and accountability. “The president, elected by the American people, is here to rein in government, eliminate waste, and restore accountability, transparency, and common sense,” Scott said, reinforcing the values that drive conservative reform efforts.
In a show of support, former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, assuring that, despite reports to the contrary, Musk and Rubio have a solid working relationship. “ANY STATEMENT OTHER THAN THAT IS FAKE NEWS!!!” Trump declared.