Elon Musk’s DOGE to ‘No NATO’ for Ukraine: Key Takeaways from Donald Trump’s First Cabinet Meeting

Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, featuring a high-profile yet unexpected guest—billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. While not a federal employee or Senate-confirmed official, Musk co-chairs the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and has become a key figure in Trump’s administration.

Dressed in a “Tech Support” t-shirt and a Make America Great Again campaign hat, Musk stood alongside Trump, discussing his role in cutting government spending. Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his stance on Ukraine, ruling out NATO inclusion and backing a controversial $5 million "Gold Card" visa program.

1. Elon Musk’s Role: ‘Humble Tech Support’ or the Power Behind the Throne?

Musk, now a central figure in Trump’s administration, described his role modestly as “humble tech support” but made sweeping statements about the government’s financial stability.

"If we fail in cutting spending, America will go bankrupt," Musk warned, defending his team’s cost-cutting measures.

2. Mass Layoffs and Budget Cuts: Restructuring Federal Agencies

The Trump administration has ordered widespread layoffs across federal agencies, with Musk leading the charge.

A memo from the White House instructs agencies to submit workforce reduction plans by March 13, with job cuts expected to be significant.

Some key reductions include:

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Plans to slash 65% of its 15,000+ employees.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service & Bureau of Indian Affairs: Workforce cuts up to 40%.
• $6.7 trillion federal budget: Musk proposed cutting $1 trillion within the year.

Despite these measures, Musk admitted to errors, citing the accidental cancellation of Ebola prevention grants, which were later restored.

"One of the things we briefly canceled was Ebola prevention. I think we all agree we want that, so we restored it immediately," he noted.

3. Musk’s ‘Work Report Email’ Sparks Federal Uproar

Musk’s latest mandate requires federal employees to submit weekly work reports detailing five key accomplishments. Non-compliance results in termination.

After a massive backlash from federal workers, the Trump administration softened the deadline, but Musk doubled down, stating:

"If they fail to respond a second time, they will be fired—subject to the President’s discretion."

Musk also defended the measure, claiming it helps detect government payroll fraud.

"We suspect many government employees are either deceased or not actually working. This is just a pulse check—if they are real and alive, they can write an email," Musk said.

4. Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ Visa: A $5 Million Ticket to Residency

Trump’s proposed ‘Gold Card’ visa program is designed to replace the EB-5 investor visa, allowing wealthy individuals to purchase US residency for $5 million.

• The program is expected to generate $5 trillion if 1 million visas are sold.
• No congressional approval required, according to Trump.
• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the Gold Card would replace the EB-5 visa, which has been criticized for lack of oversight.

"I think it will sell like crazy," Trump declared.

5. ‘Ukraine Can Forget About NATO’: Trump’s Foreign Policy Shift

In a major geopolitical shift, Trump dismissed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, stating that the country should not expect security guarantees from the US.

"NATO? Forget about it. That’s probably the reason the war started in the first place," Trump said.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Washington DC on Friday, Trump clarified that the US will not offer direct military backing.

"We’ll be on the ground working, but no guarantees. Europe will have to step up," he said.

Trump also criticized NATO allies, suggesting that European nations should take greater responsibility for regional security.

6. Trade Tariffs on Canada & Mexico to Begin in April

Trump confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will be implemented on April 2, reversing an earlier one-month delay.

• The move follows border security concessions from both nations.
• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at additional reciprocal tariffs, particularly targeting drug trafficking concerns.

Final Thoughts: A Trump-Musk Power Alliance?

As Trump’s second term unfolds, Elon Musk’s influence is becoming increasingly visible. While his cost-cutting efforts have sparked backlash, Trump remains enthusiastic about their partnership.

With federal layoffs, a revamped immigration plan, and foreign policy shifts, the first Cabinet meeting signals an aggressive start to Trump’s new administration—one where Elon Musk plays a more prominent role than expected.