President Donald Trump is holding his first official Cabinet meeting of his second term. Head of DOGE Elon Musk, who is not a member of the Cabinet, is also attending the meeting which began at 11 a.m. ET.
What to know:
Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday: “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON. The Media will see that at the Cabinet Meeting this morning!!!”
Trump’s Cabinet includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Musk was spotted arriving at the White House this morning ahead of the meeting, wearing a MAGA hat
Trump is set to sign more executive orders later this afternoon.
Stay with Newsweek as we follow the latest developments.
12:21 PM EST
Trump suggests federal employees who don’t respond to OPM email could be fired
Elon Musk said that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will send another email requesting federal employees to submit five accomplishments, reiterating that those who fail to respond could face termination.
“We want to give people every opportunity to send an email,” Musk said, though OPM later clarified that responses are voluntary.
Trump weighed in, saying employees who have not replied are “on the bubble” and could lose their jobs. “Maybe they’re going to be gone,” Trump said, questioning whether some agency employees even exist.
12:20 PM EST
Musk admits cutting funds for Ebola protection was a mistake
Elon Musk has admitted that DOGE is moving fast and “will make mistakes” as he acknowledged that cutting funds for Ebola protections was a major error.
“We will make mistakes, we won’t be perfect but when we do make mistakes we fix them very quickly,” he told Trump’s Cabinet.
“So when it comes to USAID, one of the things we accidentally cancelled, very briefly, was Ebola, Ebola protections.”
He added that DOGE restored it “very quickly” after realizing their mistake.
But he said there was no plans to change the speed of DOGE cuts, because “we do need to move quickly if we are to achieve a trillion dollar deficit reduction by 2026.”
It is not the first time DOGE has conceded it made an error.
Multiple federal agencies have been forced to try and rehire the staff it laid off after realizing their roles were crucial.
12:17 PM EST
Elon Musk’s DOGE staffer ‘Big Balls’ related to KGB defector: Report
One of Elon Musk‘s engineers at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, is reportedly the great-grandson of a former KGB agent.
This is according to journalist Jacob Silverman, who has written several books on technology, cryptocurrency and politics and is currently working on a book about Musk.
Newsweek has contacted X, formerly Twitter, via email for comment on Musk’s behalf.
Coristine’s great-grandfather would have worked for the KGB during the Cold War, when the U.S. and Russia were enemies.
It is unclear whether this would have come up in any background checks for a DOGE employee—The New York Times previously reported that DOGE staff who were handling sensitive information had received equivalent training and security clearance as federal employees. Newsweek has contacted DOGE via direct message on X for comment on this.
12:01 PM EST
Musk says he’s getting ‘death threats’, says only DOGE can save US from bankruptcy
Elon Musk claimed he was receiving “a lot of death threats” after DOGE’s mass layoff and federal cuts.
Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, he said he was facing backlash but insisted only DOGE could save the United States from bankruptcy.
“We simply cant sustain as a country a $2 trillion deficit,” he added.
“If we don’t do this, America will go bankrupt.”
11:59 AM EST
Trump confirms Zelensky to visit White House for natural resources deal
Combination image shows President Donald Trump (L) on February 22, 2025, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 12, 2025.
Combination image shows President Donald Trump (L) on February 22, 2025, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 12, 2025.
Getty Images
Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday to sign an agreement focused on natural resources and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
“We’re doing very well with Russia-Ukraine. President Zelensky is going to be coming on Friday. It’s now confirmed, and we’re going to be signing an agreement,” Trump said, acknowledging the roles of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Trump noted the deal includes financial returns for the U.S. and potential access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. The agreement is part of ongoing efforts to end the war and support Ukraine’s recovery.
11:58 AM EST
Trump invites Musk to address the Cabinet meeting
Trump laid praise on Elon Musk as he invited him to address the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“He really is working so hard,” the president said at the meeting. “He’s getting a lot of praise.”
Elon Musk then took the floor to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and their aims.
Describing himself as the “humble tech support,” Musk claimed DOGE was fixing old and outdated government systems and software, with an overall goal of reducing “the enormous deficit.”
“We simply cant sustain as a country a $2 trillion deficit.”
Musk warned that without DOGE, the country will go bankrupt.
11:52 AM EST
Musk is not sitting at the main table at Cabinet meeting
Elon Musk has joined the first Cabinet meeting of the second Trump administration, despite not being a Cabinet member.
However, the billionaire was not sat with the president and the Cabinet members at the oval table, but was sat behind them.
11:50 AM EST
Trump’s Cabinet meeting begins with a prayer
President Donald Trump’s first Cabinet meeting began with a prayer on Wednesday.
Trump said that they will address the soaring prices of eggs during the meeting, and laid praise on “one of the most important initiatives” DOGE.
11:45 AM EST
Trump administration orders federal agencies to plan job cuts
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Federal agencies have been instructed to develop plans for eliminating employee positions, according to a memo from the Trump administration. The directive marks a significant step in the president’s effort to downsize what he sees as an overly large federal workforce.
Thousands of probationary employees have already been dismissed, and the administration is now shifting its focus to career officials with civil service protections. Agencies must submit their workforce reduction plans by March 13, which could lead to widespread layoffs and structural changes in government operations.
11:44 AM EST
FAA deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink raises conflict of interest concerns
An antenna of the satellite internet provider Starlink can be seen on the train at the central station, in Kiew, Ukraine, taken on September 20, 2024.
An antenna of the satellite internet provider Starlink can be seen on the train at the central station, in Kiew, Ukraine, taken on September 20, 2024.
AP
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has reportedly secured a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration to upgrade the nation’s air traffic communications system, raising questions about conflicts of interest.
Last week, Musk approved the shipping of 4,000 Starlink terminals to the FAA, according to Bloomberg News, which first reported the partnership.
While details of a contract between SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, and the FAA have not emerged, the partnership underscores the complications surrounding Musk’s involvement in President Donald Trump‘s administration. The billionaire serves as a senior adviser to the president while maintaining executive roles at companies with government contracts.
Government ethics laws require those who can profit from government work to recuse themselves from projects, sell their financial holdings or sever ties from companies that may benefit. Waivers may be granted by the heads of government departments or other officials, but only in some circumstances.
On Monday, the FAA announced that the agency was testing a Starlink terminal at its facility in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and two terminals at “non-safety critical sites” in Alaska.
11:36 AM EST
White House questions Zelensky’s planned visit without finalized deal
A White House official told CNN that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington, D.C., would not make sense if a deal on resources has not been finalized. The official suggested that Zelensky should only come if the agreement is confirmed.
Zelensky had been expected to meet with Trump in the coming days, according to a Ukrainian official. However, during a Wednesday news conference, he described the agreement as a “framework” that could be part of future security guarantees, indicating that discussions with Trump would shape the final outcome.
11:34 AM EST
Trump claims Cabinet members are ‘extremely happy ‘ with Musk ahead of meeting
Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday that “ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON” ahead of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
“The Media will see that at the Cabinet Meeting this morning!!!” he added.
11:31 AM EST
Trump’s first official Cabinet meeting is beginning shortly
President Donald Trump’s first official Cabinet meeting is set to start shortly.
Billionaire Elon Musk will join the meeting, despite not being a Cabinet member.
11:28 AM EST
Trump’s spat with Canada escalates
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United States President Donald Trump hold a dialogue during a bilateral meeting in 2019.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United States President Donald Trump hold a dialogue during a bilateral meeting in 2019.
GDA/AP
Donald Trump’s dispute with Canada escalated this week after he doubled down on his threat of tariffs and called for Canada’s removal from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, a move that would effectively cut the country off from key military intelligence sharing.
Newsweek contacted the White House and the Canadian prime minister’s office for comment via email.
Canada and the United States have historically been close allies, but the relationship between the two countries has soured in recent months after Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on Canada.
The president has also repeatedly pushed the idea that Canada should become a U.S. state, which polls show a large majority of Canadians oppose.
Trump has said that tariffs on goods from Canada will go into effect next week. He previously threatened to impose a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Canada in order to put pressure on the country to do more to curb the flow of illegal drugs, such as fentanyl, into the U.S.
Canada hit back with a threat of retaliatory tariffs, but Trump later agreed to a 30-day pause on his tariff threat after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would name a fentanyl czar, list Mexican cartels as terrorist groups and launch a “Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering.”
11:03 AM EST
USDA unveils new plan to tackle bird flu and lower egg prices
In a recent op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new strategy aimed at mitigating the spread of bird flu and addressing the rising cost of eggs, a key issue ahead of the 2024 election.
Rollins outlined a $1 billion investment plan, partially funded by cuts to the Department of Government Efficiency. The USDA will allocate $500 million to enhance biosecurity measures on farms, such as restricting access, increasing sanitation, and expanding a pilot program for USDA inspectors to evaluate farm security. Additionally, the USDA will spend $400 million to reimburse farmers whose flocks are affected by bird flu, with an added requirement for biosecurity audits before compensation is granted.
While the USDA is exploring the use of vaccines and therapeutics for poultry, no vaccines have been authorized for use yet. The government is also considering temporary egg imports to reduce prices and plans to ease regulations on egg producers and support families raising backyard chickens.
However, the USDA stopped short of approving a bird flu vaccine for poultry, as many countries reject vaccinated poultry imports, making vaccination a contentious issue. The World Organization for Animal Health has suggested that vaccination may become necessary as bird flu has evolved into a year-round threat, affecting not only poultry but also dairy cattle.
10:51 AM EST
Bruise on Trump’s hand prompts health speculation: What we know
Makeup covers a bruise on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump’s hand on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Makeup covers a bruise on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump’s hand on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
People are speculating online about President Donald Trump‘s health after he was pictured with a bruise on his right hand as he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump is the oldest person to become U.S. president in history. During the 2024 presidential campaign, polling showed that his health was of increasing concern to voters, and there has been speculation from psychiatrists that he may suffer with dementia.
This comes after former President Joe Biden, only slightly younger than Trump when he took office, was frequently met with concerns over his age and mental acuity. In July of 2024, Biden ultimately ended his bid for reelection following weeks of public pressure and a stumbling performance in the CNN debate. Now, Trump is facing similar questions and concerns online.
The bruise on Trump’s hand was pictured during a meeting with Macron at the White House on Monday, where the two focused on the war in Ukraine.
10:36 AM EST
Sen. Tim Kaine criticizes Trump administration for FAA staff firings, citing safety concerns
Senator Tim Kaine has raised concerns over the safety of air travel, accusing the Trump administration of making it less safe due to the recent firing of nearly 400 FAA personnel.
In a recent interview with CNN, Kaine pointed to overcrowded airports and traffic increases, such as at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA), as contributing factors to dangerous situations, including near-misses involving flights.
Kaine stressed the need for more air traffic controllers, not fewer, and expressed frustration over the lack of response from Transportation Secretary Duffy regarding the firings.
“We need more FAA and more air traffic controllers; not fewer. And no — the administration has not answered my questions about why they are firing FAA staff,” he said.
10:21 AM EST
Keir Starmer aims to secure U.S. support for Ukraine during White House visit
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on defense spending at Downing Street on February 25, 2025, in London, England.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on defense spending at Downing Street on February 25, 2025, in London, England.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington on Wednesday follows his announcement of a significant increase in the UK defense budget, a move he hopes will persuade Trump to continue supporting Ukraine amid growing pressure in the U.S. to end the war.
While Starmer is expected to emphasize the longstanding trans-Atlantic relationship, Trump’s recent shift in foreign policy raises uncertainty about the reception he will receive. The trip follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit, as European leaders seek to ensure Ukraine’s voice remains in peace negotiations and maintain U.S. backing in countering Russia’s aggression.
09:53 AM EST
Elon Musk responds to email troll
Elon Musk has responded on social media to another user mocking an email from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) asking federal workers to summarize what they did over the past week in five bullet points.
Newsweek contacted the Office for Personnel Management (OPM), which handles human resources for the federal government, and Musk via the Tesla and SpaceX press offices for comment on Wednesday outside of regular office hours.
President Donald Trump put Musk in charge of the newly created DOGE shortly after his second presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 to slash what he argued was wasteful government spending.
DOGE has since overseen a wave of firings including many probationary employees, who had spent less than a year working for the federal government. Musk has previously suggested federal government spending could be cut each year by up to $2 trillion.
On Monday the ‘Washingtonian Problems’ X account, which has 78,000 followers and focuses on news from the capital city, shared what they claimed was an email sent to the OPM in response to the DOGE request.
It read: “Hi, Wanted to emailed what I did last week in detail. Please let me know if you need more information, -sucked the biggest d***. Seriously it was 12.3 inches (I measured)-got f***** by said d***—best sex of my life and will be going back for more. Ate a man’s a** but he said he wasn’t gay so it’s fine—decided to f*** myself with your b******* and c***.”
Musk shared the post via his own X account, adding: “Ahem, we said 5 items and that’s only 4.”
On Feb. 22 the OPM sent an email to hundreds of thousands of federal employees instructing them to list what they had achieved over the past week in five bullet points. In a post on X Musk added “failure to respond will be taken as resignation.”
09:31 AM EST
Rubio challenges court order on foreign aid payments
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to meet with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany. International defence and security leaders from around…
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to meet with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany. International defence and security leaders from around the world are gathering for the February 14-16 conference.
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Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become directly involved in decisions regarding the termination of foreign aid contracts, as the Trump administration pushed back against a court’s order to pay nearly $2 billion in outstanding foreign assistance. The administration argued that meeting the judge’s deadline by Wednesday would be logistically impossible due to the complexities of verifying contracts under new oversight procedures.
This legal battle follows a temporary restraining order issued nearly two weeks ago, which partially lifted a freeze on foreign aid funding. The order required payments for contracts established under the Biden administration, with organizations claiming they were owed significant amounts for work completed before the freeze began. Despite the ruling, the administration faced accusations of noncompliance, leading to a new court order demanding payment by the Wednesday deadline.
09:13 AM EST
Nonprofits raise funds to address impact of U.S. foreign aid freeze
Though the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign assistance has led to a massive funding gap, several nonprofits are stepping in to help. Unlock Aid, an organization that advocates for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reforms, launched the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund last week to make grants to groups impacted by the freeze. Other organizations, including Founders Pledge and The Life You Can Save, have also initiated fundraising efforts.
The U.S. foreign aid freeze, part of a series of executive orders in Trump’s early days in office, has left many humanitarian programs unfunded, including those addressing HIV, disease monitoring, child vaccinations, and refugee support. With U.S. foreign aid at $68 billion in 2023, the freeze has led to a loss of resources that could take years to replace.
Though these nonprofits understand they can’t fully replace the lost funds, they are hopeful that even smaller donations can make a significant difference. “Fractions of that money save real lives,” said David Goldberg, co-founder of Founders Pledge, per The Associated Press.
While many American businesses have been affected and thousands of jobs lost, the philanthropic sector has mobilized quickly. Platforms like Every.org and donor-advised funds (DAFs) have helped streamline donations, providing both tax benefits and rapid mobilization for the urgent cause.
Although major foundations have been hesitant to change funding strategies amid uncertainty, smaller nonprofits and individual donors are stepping up in this critical moment.
08:59 AM EST
Trump posts AI video depicting ‘Trump Gaza’ redevelopment
Trump shared a provocative artificial intelligence-generated video on social media, featuring his name and face in a vision of a redeveloped Gaza. The video opens with scenes of destruction in the region, followed by the question “What’s next?” in bold red, white, and blue text.
It transitions to images of skyscrapers, Elon Musk smiling, and a boy holding a golden balloon with Trump’s face. Accompanied by upbeat music and lyrics celebrating “Trump Gaza,” the video depicts Trump dancing with a scantily clad woman, Musk enjoying money raining down, and a towering golden statue of Trump. The video ends with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lounging before a “Trump Gaza” sign.
Trump has previously proposed U.S. control over Gaza, despite its Palestinian population. White House spokespeople have yet to comment on the video.
08:47 AM EST
Did Medicaid get cut? What House budget resolution means for health care
A “Save Medicaid” sign is affixed to the podium for the House Democrats’ press event to oppose the Republicans’ budget on the House steps of the Capitol on Tuesday, February 25, 2024.
A “Save Medicaid” sign is affixed to the podium for the House Democrats’ press event to oppose the Republicans’ budget on the House steps of the Capitol on Tuesday, February 25, 2024.
AP
Donald Trump’s budget blueprint has passed through the House amid many concerns that there would be cuts to Medicaid, potentially affecting tens of millions of Americans.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, must now cut $880 billion in spending over the next decade, but the big question remains as to how that will be achieved.
About 24 percent of people in the U.S. are enrolled in Medicaid, according to an estimate from NYU Langone Health. As of October last year, more than 72 million people across the country held Medicaid coverage, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Cuts could have a significant impact such as reduced services and stricter eligibility requirements.
The budget, which calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts in total, does not mention Medicaid specifically but it directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, to cut $880 billion in spending over the next decade.
Trump has said multiple times that Medicaid would not be affected, telling Fox News last week that it would not be “touched.”
But the House Energy and Commerce Committee would have to find this money, out of Medicaid, Medicare and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
If the committee takes its cuts from everything that is not health care, reducing this spending to $0, it would still be more than $600 billion short, according to analysis by The New York Times.
The vote passed 217-215, with all Democrats and one Republican opposed. It comes after GOP leaders confirmed certain cuts to Medicaid would not be happening, to get a number of House Republicans on board, according to POLITICO.
08:33 AM EST
Freshman Democrat introduces bill to protect veterans’ jobs amid Trump administration firings
Rep. Derek Tran, a freshman Democratic congressman and Army veteran, has introduced a bill aimed at reinstating veterans who were terminated without cause from federal government positions since the beginning of Trump’s term.
The bill would also require federal agencies to report dismissals of veterans to Congress, offering justifications for their actions. Tran, who represents parts of Orange County, California, criticized the Trump administration’s mass firings, saying veterans who “sacrificed so much” deserve better.
While the bill is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled House, it highlights ongoing tensions over federal workforce reforms under the Trump administration. Nearly 6,000 veterans have been fired, according to Democratic lawmakers, and Tran has expressed hope that the bill can attract bipartisan support to protect those who served.
08:18 AM EST
Speaker Mike Johnson leads GOP to budget victory despite challenges
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik/GETTY
On Tuesday night, Speaker Mike Johnson pulled off a remarkable turnaround, securing a critical vote for a budget blueprint that advances former President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. After a tense day marked by last-minute negotiations and pressure from GOP leadership, Johnson successfully convinced enough Republican holdouts to pass the plan with only one defection.
This procedural win paves the way for Trump’s sweeping policy goals, but major challenges remain, including reconciling differences between the House and Senate plans and navigating contentious issues like spending cuts and health program reforms. As deadlines approach, the GOP faces immense pressure to unify and deliver on Trump’s priorities while avoiding a government shutdown and potential economic default.
08:05 AM EST
Army veteran says he was fired twice amid Elon Musk cuts
CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
An Army veteran has said he was fired not once but twice from his job as a disaster recovery coordinator in Alaska.
Mike Macans, who served as an airborne infantryman before joining the Small Business Administration’s emergency management team, told Alaska Public Media that since losing his job, he had received no communication from the government about his future.
“They locked me out of all my systems,” he added. “The only place I’ve gotten any help is online—on frickin’ Reddit.” Newsweek has contacted the SBA for comment via email.
President Donald Trump has tasked the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire Elon Musk, with cutting government spending and reducing the size of the federal workforce.
Since taking office on January 20, the administration has fired thousands of federal workers and has attempted to rehire some of them—including those working with nuclear weapons and on bird flu prevention—causing further confusion amid the mass layoffs.
07:46 AM EST
Trump criticizes ‘fake books’ and ‘anonymous’ sources
In a recent Truth Social post, Trump expressed frustration with what he called “fake books” and stories featuring “anonymous” or “off the record” quotes.
07:37 AM EST
Who is eligible to apply for the Trump Gold Card?
The Trump Gold Card is available to high-net-worth individuals who are willing to invest $5 million in the U.S. economy.
Applicants must demonstrate the legal source of their funds, pass a background check, and meet additional screening criteria to ensure they are qualified investors.