During a recent appearance on Fox News, Vice President JD Vance found himself
navigating a tricky exchange with host Laura Ingraham. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Ingraham asked him whether he planned to purchase a Tesla. Vance responded with a brief, evasive remark: “I can’t drive anymore.”
While this could have been interpreted as a straightforward statement — implying that he no
longer drives and therefore doesn’t need a car — Ingraham wasn’t willing to let him off the hook so easily. According to the Irish Star, she called out his avoidance, quipping, “It’s a nice dodge, a nice DOGE,” cleverly referencing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a department led by Elon Musk, who also happens to be the CEO of Tesla. The playful jab hinted at the ongoing entanglement of politics, business, and Musk’s growing influence in the administration.
The conversation didn’t stop there. Vance went on to shed light on a reportedly tense and awkward cabinet meeting attended by Musk, despite Musk not being an official member of President Donald Trump’s inner circle. The VP sought to downplay any talk of discord within the administration, asserting, “I don’t think there’s tension. There’s certainly disagreement from time to time. We aren’t going to agree on every single issue within the administration, but the president has been very clear Elon’s doing a great job, and obviously we appreciate what he’s doing. Marco (Rubio) I think is doing an incredible job at Secretary of State.”
Vance added praise for Rubio, noting, “I had high expectations — he’s actually succeeded those expectations.” However, beneath the surface of this praise, rumors of internal disputes have continued to swirl. Reports suggest that conflicting directives from Rubio, Musk, and Marocco regarding reductions to U.S. foreign aid have fueled confusion within the administration. This uncertainty has led to speculation about a power struggle, with some observers hinting that Rubio and Musk may not see eye to eye and might find collaboration increasingly difficult.
Vance acknowledged these whispers of division, addressing them head-on during his Fox News interview. He admitted frustration over leaks that painted a picture of a divided administration, stating, “It does annoy me that that leaked, I will say, that story wasn’t totally true to be clear.” He stressed the importance of open dialogue among key figures, emphasizing, “We need to have conversations. We need to have conversations, we need to be able to talk to each other and solve this stuff without some random staffer leaking it — I suspect that’s what happened.”
Musk’s presence at Trump’s first cabinet meeting as the nation’s 47th president only fueled further speculation. Witnesses described an unusual scene, with Musk pacing around the room while other cabinet members remained somber and reserved. The imagery painted a stark contrast to the administration’s public insistence on unity.
Despite these reports, Musk and Rubio have publicly maintained that their relationship remains productive. Following a statement from Rubio about the aid cuts, Musk responded on social media, tweeting, “Good working with you.” He later commented, “Tough, but necessary,” aligning with Rubio’s stance on the controversial reductions.
President Trump, for his part, has repeatedly dismissed questions about alleged tensions. When pressed by an NBC reporter during an Oval Office briefing, Trump bluntly rebuked the inquiry, saying, “You’re not supposed to be asking that question.” He insisted that the administration’s focus was on the upcoming World Cup, not on internal disputes.
Trump further downplayed reports of conflict, denying claims from The New York Times that Rubio had been privately furious with Musk over changes at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which Rubio oversees. According to the report, Musk had made light of the situation during a heated cabinet meeting, allegedly complimenting Rubio on his television appearances and pointing out that he “had fired nobody” — a remark that reportedly stung Rubio.
Trump dismissed the report entirely, stating, “No clash, I was there. You are not supposed to be asking that question because we are talking about the World Cup.” He closed the matter by reiterating his support for both men, asserting, “Elon gets along great with Marco, and they are both doing a fantastic job.”
The situation reflects the complex dynamics within Trump’s second-term administration, where the line between political leadership, business influence, and public perception continues to blur. While Vance and others strive to project unity, the persistent leaks and rumors suggest an ongoing tug-of-war for influence — one that the public, and the press, will undoubtedly continue to watch closely.
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