Summary

Trump has ordered Elon Musk to scale back his aggressive government downsizing efforts, instructing him to use a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet” when cutting the federal workforce.

Musk has faced backlash for mass firings, accidental cuts to critical programs, and staffing controversies.

Public approval of Musk’s role is declining, with concerns over his influence.

Despite Trump affirming Cabinet authority, he warned departments to make cuts or face Musk’s intervention. Lawsuits and internal resistance continue to challenge DOGE’s sweeping changes.

  • @TommySoda
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    643 days ago

    This sounded so reasonable I thought it was The Onion

    • @Keilik
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      63 days ago

      Who knows, perhaps they are learning to fear again

      • Maeve
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        fedilink
        253 days ago

        No, he’s being upstaged, and that won’t do.

        • @[email protected]
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          fedilink
          English
          103 days ago

          100% this. Musk has dominated the news for the first month of his presidency, i bet he’s fucking furious

    • @credo
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      23 days ago

      My style of deal–making is quite simple and straightforward. I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing and pushing to get what I’m [actually] after.

      This way, all future cuts will seem reasonable by comparison.