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.
Keep pushing and putting pressure. This is a sign that Trump (or more likely people close to Trump) are starting to see the pressure as more serious. He’s seeing backlash from lawsuits & the courts, federal worker unions, protests and people getting loud as hell at Republican town halls, etc.
Don’t take their word as truth here instead take it as a sign they might actually be starting to see him as a threat to their power / approval