A report published by The New York Times earlier this month alleged that there has been tension building up between Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Yet despite suggestions that Musk is going rogue, one Republican senator recently insisted that the billionaire tech mogul only does what President Donald Trump orders him to do. 

Florida Sen. Rick Scott: "Elon Musk does not have the power to fire people"

According to The Hill, that position was made clear during a television appearance this past weekend by Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott.

"Elon Musk does not have the power to fire people," The Hill quoted Scott as telling CNN host Jake Tapper on Sunday's episode of "State of the Union."

For the full interview: https://t.co/IWwH9ybM4c

— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) March 9, 2025

"The president of the United States is Donald Trump, and the agency heads are the ones who manage each of their departments, so they’ve got the — they’ve got the decision, that’s what Elon Musk has told me time and time again," the lawmaker stressed.

President accuses reporters of being a "troublemaker" for bringing up story

Fox News pointed out that NBC News correspondent Gabe Gutierrez raised the issue with Trump just after the president had signed an executive order creating the White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"Some details have come out about your cabinet meeting with Elon Musk, and some clashes potentially between Secretary Rubio," Gutierrez began.

Yet Trump quickly cut him off, stating, "No clash. I was there — you’re just a troublemaker. And you’re not supposed to be asking that question, because we’re talking about the World Cup."

Trump slams "fake news," insists that Musk and Rubio "have a great relationship"

"Elon gets along great with Marco, and they’re both doing a fantastic job. There is no clash," the president went on to declare.

The Hill observed that the president made a point of doubling down on his message in a Truth Social post put up on Saturday

"ELON AND MARCO HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. ANY STATEMENT OTHER THAN THAT IS FAKE NEWS!!! DJT," Trump wrote.