President Trump says his Cabinet secretary will cut the government’s workforce under the supervision of Elon Musk.
Scott Simon, host:
The headlines say new restrictions that Elon Musk and President Trump are dodging. Here’s how the president put it in an oval office this week:
(Sound bites of archived recordings)
President Donald Trump: So we’re trying to see them, and Elon and the group are trying to see them. And if they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, the eron will do the cutting.
Simon: We’ve joined us by NPR Senior Washington editor and correspondent Ron Elving. Ron, thank you for being with us.
Ron Elving, byline: It’s good to be with you, Scott.
Simon: Well, what are we looking at? Do they place strings on that dog?
Erving: It’s sold like that – as it’s a card paneling along with his cabinet on a mask. But if we hear a clip we just heard, it appears that the masks will come along and clean up and decide whether Cabinet officials and other Senate have confirmed that the civil servants have done enough. So who decides what is sufficient? Is it musk or Trump himself? And do you know if that really makes a difference? New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swann reported clashes with ministers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of State Sean Duffy.
Simon: Is the government’s efficiency department a potential political responsibility to Congressional Republicans? After all, federal work is being cut down in their states.
Erving: Yes. That’s right. As we saw in Union State on Tuesday night, Musk is still a hero to Trump fans both in Congress and beyond, so that’s not yet a clear responsibility — at least for Congressional Republicans. Musk still votes well among trumper supporters. But Musk’s stock may have seen its peak, Scott. For example, we’ll see how staffing in veteran issues can go down with veterinarian families, taking care of the VA. We will also see how much Musk has to do with Social Security. This is the most popular federal program in history by all measures. But Mask compared Social Security to illegal private investment scams. He did it last month on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Trump: Everyone has a podcast now. California Governor Gavin Newsom started one this week. His first guest was not another progressive Democrat, but right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who agreed to a few things.
Erving: Yes. Newsom has gained a more centralized position by banning trans athletes in school sports. Well, Scott, I remember going to Larry King’s CNN talk show and saying they were thinking about the White House. Now you may be more likely to start your own pod, as you suggest. No one would be surprised that Newsom is thinking about what he will do to make a living next. He has been limited to governor since 2026. So why not start a pod and start a guest who might attract an audience outside your own political foundation? And certainly, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, along with millions of followers, hopes to remain influential even after his Trump days.
Simon: Friday, March 14th is the deadline to avoid government closures. How far is the party?
Erving: It’s far away, perhaps even when we’re talking. Speaker Mike Johnson said he wants a clean bill to extend his current spending commitment by the end of the September fiscal year. Here it sounds like a simple and typical kick the can’t be found. But House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries points out that what Bill Johnson is backing will actually be a new Trump/Musk budget setup. And Johnson himself says the new spending bill will roll the ball in the next era of Trump/Musk cuts.
Therefore, there is no democratic vote for it. This means that Republican leaders in the House must win a majority, and in the Senate, they are the vast majority, with only their own members vote. And because of all this controversial thing, it would be difficult to get all the last Republicans on board. That’s not impossible, but the odds aren’t good. So now it seems like we’re likely to be closed next week…
Simon: Well…
Erving:…at least for a short period of time.
Simon: And it’s good to talk to you. Thank you very much to NPR’s Ron Elving.
Erving: Thank you, Scott.
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