Elon Musk’s “top secret” notepad stunt at a Trump cabinet meeting exposed billions in government waste while simultaneously trolling media outlets obsessed with his every move.
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has identified approximately $150 billion in projected savings by fiscal year 2026. The DOGE team uncovered “absurd” government waste, including unemployment insurance for unborn individuals
Musk’s Bold Cabinet Meeting Performance
Elon Musk made headlines during a recent Trump administration Cabinet meeting where cameras were allowed to capture what would typically be a confidential government discussion. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sat before reporters with a handwritten notepad prominently labeled “top secret”—a” move widely interpreted as trolling the media. The notepad incident may have been a calculated response to recent New York Times reporting claiming Musk had been briefed on U.S. military plans regarding potential conflict with China.
President Trump dismissed these reports during the meeting, raising questions about Musk’s extensive business interests in China and with the Pentagon. The administration’s practice of allowing TV cameras into typically private meetings created the perfect stage for Musk’s notepad to go viral across social media platforms, drawing attention to DOGE’s findings rather than speculative reporting about his access to classified information.
🚨 ELON MUSK: Thanks to President Trump's fantastic leadership this amazing cabinet and the very talented DOGE team, I'm excited to announce that we anticipate savings in FY 26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion." pic.twitter.com/Nj8SVtWQBR
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) April 10, 2025
Billions in Government Waste Exposed
The primary purpose of Musk’s appearance was to present the remarkable progress of the DOGE initiative, which has identified approximately $150 billion in projected savings for the federal government by fiscal year 2026. During the meeting, Musk highlighted several “absurd” examples of government waste, including a particularly egregious case where unemployment insurance was being provided to unborn individuals. These findings represent one of the largest single-year waste reductions in recent federal government history.
“All we had to do was move in any direction to find waste. What we’re doing is making things more sensible and improving services for the American people.” – Elon Musk
DOGE’s approach involves comprehensive analysis of agency expenditures, identifying inefficiencies, and proposing measures to reduce redundancy and prevent waste. The team is systematically reviewing contracts, technology systems, and grant disbursements across major federal agencies to create a sustainable shift toward efficiency in government operations. Internal audits support the savings estimates, which are expected to grow as the initiative continues its work.
Elon knows the games the media plays, so he decided to mess with them at the cabinet meeting by writing "Top Secret" on his note pad, knowing they would be snapping pics of his notes / phone. 😂 https://t.co/sKFlCfACVt pic.twitter.com/4fJUvUvh1G
— Owen Sparks (@OwenSparks_) April 11, 2025
Trump’s Strong Support for DOGE Initiative
President Trump has been vocal in his appreciation for Musk’s contributions to the administration. During the cabinet meeting, Trump specifically highlighted how Musk and his team have exposed and terminated numerous fraudulent activities within the government. The partnership between Trump and Musk has been significant, with Musk serving as a major donor to Trump’s campaign and maintaining a close relationship with the administration, though not without occasional tensions.
Discussions are currently underway to establish DOGE as a permanent oversight function reporting directly to the Office of Management and Budget, potentially cementing Musk’s legacy of government reform. However, both Musk and Trump hinted during the meeting that Musk’s role in the administration might soon come to an end. Despite this, the substantial findings revealed by DOGE signal a significant shift in priorities under Trump’s second term, with fiscal responsibility and elimination of wasteful spending taking center stage.