Bulwark Takes: Elon Demoted! Musk’s Government Takeover Finally Imploding?

Episode Release Date: March 6, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Participants: Sam Stein (Managing Editor), Andrew Eggert (Author of Morning Shots)

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Sam Stein and Andrew Eggert delve into the escalating tensions surrounding Elon Musk's influence within the Trump administration. The discussion centers on recent developments indicating a possible demotion of Musk from his de facto government role, as well as the broader implications of his management style on federal agencies.

Elon's Intervention in Federal Agencies

[00:00] Sam Stein:
Sam initiates the conversation by highlighting reports of Elon Musk's disruptive involvement in federal agencies. During a Trump cabinet meeting, President Trump asserted that cabinet secretaries hold the ultimate authority over staffing decisions within their departments. This clarification was deemed necessary due to Musk's apparent overreach, including significant staff cuts and functional reductions that have led to operational chaos.

Quote:
"Elon's been going completely batshit crazy on these agencies, taking an absolute ax to them, cutting staffers, cutting functions..." — Sam Stein [00:00]

Trump’s Public Endorsement of Elon Musk

[00:45] Sam Stein:
Sam reads an excerpt from a recent White House communiqué (referred to humorously as a "bleat" or "oblique"), where President Trump lauds the administration's achievements and publicly supports Musk's cost-cutting measures across agencies. The tone suggests an unwavering endorsement, despite growing concerns about Musk's management approach.

Quote:
"The golden age of America has just begun! Over the last past six weeks, our administration has delivered on promises like no administration before it... We're going to have to hold these meetings every two weeks..." — Excerpt from Donald Trump’s Bleat [00:45]

Andrew Eggert on Clashes Between Elon and Cabinet Secretaries

[02:12] Andrew Eggert:
Andrew provides an analysis of the friction between Musk and cabinet secretaries. He notes that constitutional authority resides with the secretaries, yet Musk's aggressive strategies have led to constant clashes. Instances include Musk’s interference in programs safeguarded by cabinet members and his unconventional directives, such as threatening federal employees with termination for non-compliance.

Quote:
"There have been these kind of headbutting clashes between Elon Musk and the actual Cabinet secretaries who in theory, constitutionally have the authority over these agencies..." — Andrew Eggert [02:12]

Internal Government Struggles and SSA’s Crisis

[03:54] Sam Stein:
Sam brings attention to a critical report from an internal Social Security Administration (SSA) meeting. The newly appointed head of the SSA, Leland Dude, expressed distress over Musk's Doge team, describing their actions as unprecedented and detrimental. Dude acknowledged the lack of nuanced understanding by Doge personnel, leading to reckless program cuts and operational mishaps.

Quote:
"Things are currently operating in a way I have never seen in government before... Doge people are learning and they will make mistakes, but we have to let them see what is going on at SSA." — Leland Dude, Head of SSA [03:54]

Musk’s "Move Fast and Break Things" Philosophy

[05:31] Andrew Eggert:
Andrew criticizes Musk's laissez-faire approach, encapsulated in his "move fast and break things" mantra. He argues that while this strategy may foster innovation, it severely undermines the stability and functionality of government programs. The repercussions include public frustration, backlash against Republican lawmakers, and declining public support for both Musk and Trump-associated projects.

Quote:
"Musk's personal philosophy on all this stuff has been, like the kind of 'move fast and break things'... it's much easier to break these things thoughtlessly than it is to try to piece them back together." — Andrew Eggert [05:31]

Public and Legislative Backlash

[06:44] Sam Stein:
Sam discusses the growing discontent among constituents and lawmakers. Republican representatives like Bill Huizenga are inundated with complaints, leading some to request a halt in town hall meetings. Additionally, figures like Lisa Murkowski have voiced concerns about the detrimental effects of Musk's management on agencies like USAID, highlighting a broader governmental and public unease.

Quote:
"Republicans have said, 'Oh, these are all Democratic plants...'" — Sam Stein [07:03]

Trump’s Response to Declining Popularity Metrics

[08:09] Andrew Eggert:
Andrew examines how Trump perceives and reacts to popularity metrics. Positive trends reinforce his strategies, while negative ones, such as declining public approval due to agency mishandling, prompt discomfort. He references an incident where a downward-trending graph caused Trump significant dissatisfaction, emphasizing Trump's sensitivity to public opinion.

Quote:
"A line pointing down graph. Big, big, big in the brain of Donald Trump." — Andrew Eggert [08:16]

Potential Outcomes and Future Dynamics

[10:11] Sam Stein & Andrew Eggert:
The conversation shifts to potential future scenarios. Andrew speculates on whether Musk might adopt a more advisory role or continue his hands-on approach, which conflicts with traditional administrative structures. Sam expresses skepticism about a formal demotion, suggesting that Trump may prefer to distance himself publicly without taking definitive action against Musk.

Quote:
"Elon is so used to being his own boss... he's just going to go in, he's going to monkey with what he wants to monkey with." — Andrew Eggert [11:06]

Conclusion

Sam Stein and Andrew Eggert conclude that Elon Musk's unchecked influence within the Trump administration is reaching a tipping point. While Trump continues to publicly support Musk, the internal and public backlash suggests that the current trajectory is unsustainable. The episode underscores the complexities of blending celebrity entrepreneurship with governmental operations and the potential fallout from such an alliance.

Notable Takeaways:

• Elon's Overreach: Musk's aggressive cost-cutting and management within federal agencies have led to significant operational disruptions and conflicts with cabinet secretaries.

• Trump's Dilemma: President Trump faces balancing his endorsement of Musk with the growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers and the public.

• Public Backlash: Increasing frustration among constituents is manifesting in reduced public support and legislative pushback against Musk's interventions.

• Future Uncertainties: The administration may need to recalibrate Musk's role to mitigate further disruptions and restore effective governance.

This comprehensive discussion in Bulwark Takes provides an insightful analysis of the fraught relationship between Elon Musk and the Trump administration, highlighting the challenges of integrating non-traditional leaders into governmental frameworks.