NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez Reports on Trump’s Cabinet Meltdown and Staff Exodus
NBC’s White House correspondent, Gabe Gutierrez, provided an in-depth breakdown of the latest developments in Washington. Alongside him were New York Times journalist David Fold, who uncovered striking details about the situation, and Michael Steele, former RNC chairman and MSNBC political analyst.
Chris, there’s a lot to unpack from this high-stakes meeting, but let’s start with the shocking government budget cuts. Elon Musk, who played a central role in this discussion, opened the meeting with a lengthy address before President Trump took over, repeating familiar talking points and justifying aggressive federal budget reductions.
This comes amid reports that the Office of Personnel Management is instructing department heads to prepare for major downsizing, with a comprehensive restructuring plan set for March 13th. The President wasted no time defending his administration’s drastic budget slashes:
“One of our key initiatives is cutting government spending. We’ve already saved billions, and if we push further, we could reach a trillion-dollar reduction. That’s how we get to a balanced budget—something no one has seen in decades.”
However, claims regarding the exact amount of cuts remain unverified, as no substantial evidence has been presented.
Discussions on Ukraine and Economic Concerns
Beyond budget concerns, the meeting touched on international affairs. President Trump made headlines by bluntly stating that Ukraine should “forget about” NATO membership. When questioned about Russia’s concessions in the ongoing conflict, he declined to comment.
Another hot topic was rising food costs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed soaring egg prices, revealing that the U.S. is considering importing eggs to stabilize supply. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted that the government is closely monitoring the Texas measles outbreak.
Fact-Checking the Alleged Government Savings
New York Times journalist David Fold investigated Musk’s claim that his team had compiled a detailed list of budget cuts. However, the data revealed several inaccuracies:
- The five largest spending cuts were significantly exaggerated, sometimes by a factor of a thousand.
- Errors in calculations misrepresented federal contract costs.
- Some figures were counted multiple times, leading to misleading conclusions about actual savings.
These inconsistencies cast doubt on the reliability of Musk’s financial oversight and raise concerns about broader government data management.
Power Dynamics: Is Musk Running the Show?
Michael Steele weighed in on the striking power dynamics in the room. He noted that Musk, despite being an unelected figure, dominated the discussion while cabinet members sat quietly:
“He was the first to speak. The President didn’t set the tone or define the agenda—Musk did. That tells you everything about who truly holds power in that room.”
This raised further concerns about Musk’s influence over government policies, especially with reports that his team may be embedding data within federal systems that could allow access down the road.
Economic Uncertainty and Business Backlash
The uncertainty surrounding policy changes is also unsettling the business community. Despite prior assurances that economic growth was on the horizon, investments remain stagnant. Companies are hesitant to commit due to:
- Unclear tax policies
- Ongoing trade tariffs
- Concerns over mass layoffs due to government downsizing
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board even warned that Trump’s tariffs could significantly damage the U.S. auto industry and harm Republican prospects in Michigan.
This cabinet meeting was reminiscent of Trump’s first administration, where officials praised him publicly. However, this time, there’s a noticeable shift in allegiance—not just to Trump but to Musk’s growing influence. The real question remains: Will the American people accept this new power structure, or will they push back?
