A report published by The New York Times late last week suggested that there is tension brewing between Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Although a report attempted to raise the issue on Friday, President Donald Trump quickly stopped him in his tracks. 

Trump: "You're just a troublemaker"

According to Fox News, NBC News correspondent Gabe Gutierrez asked about the story shortly after Trump 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 was quoted as saying.

"No clash," Trump shot back. "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."

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

The Times story alleged that Musk had complained in a cabinet meeting about Rubio having not fired enough personnel at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mediate talks up potential rivalry between vice president and Donald Trump Jr.

This is not the first time a media outlet has covered an alleged split within the Trump administration, as Mediaite also alluded to possible tension between Donald Trump Jr. and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Specifically, the online publication cited unnamed sources who claim that the president's eldest son is looking to take his father's job in 2028.

"Don has been the most politically involved of all the Trump kids and has always kept the lanes open for a presidential run," one person described as a White House insider was quoted as saying.

The figure went on to insist that Trump Jr. "is a valued voice for his father, and a real possibility to be a contender in 2028."

Another individual pointed out how Trump Jr. has "consistently been the most active on the campaign trail for the president as well as his endorsed candidates."

Trump Jr. angrily dismisses talk of a 2028 run

Yet for his part, the president's son angrily dismissed such talk in a profanity-laced statement he provided to Mediaite.

"I accurately predicted that my buddy JD would be an instant power player in national GOP politics, so your theory is that I worked my ass off to help get him the VP nomination because I want to run for president in 2028? Are you f--king retarded?" Trump Jr. asked.

"I'm actually glad you’re printing this bullshit though because at least now the rest of the press corps will see how shitty your 'sources' are and how easily you’re played by them. Congrats, moron," he added.