# Trump shuts down NBC reporter's suggestion of a Rubio-Musk clash, calls him a 'troublemaker'

## Question came as Trump signed executive order to create FIFA World Cup Task Force in Oval Office

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Published March 7, 2025 8:38pm EST

### President Donald Trump rejected reports of a "clash" between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk during a cabinet meeting Friday, calling NBC News' Gabe Gutierrez a "troublemaker."

Reporting from The New York Times  that on Thursday, Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk went after Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a cabinet meeting for not firing enough people in USAID, an agency over which the latter has purview.

Rubio, according to The Times, angrily responded that the over 1,500 State Department officials who took the Trump buyouts should be considered layoffs.

After Trump signed an executive order to create the White House  in the Oval Office Friday, NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez tried to ask about Musk and Rubio.





*Elon Musk speaks during an event in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 11. (AP Images)*

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

Trump interrupted, responding that a clash never happened.

"No clash. I was there — you’re just a troublemaker," Trump said. "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," Trump added. As Gutierrez continued speaking, Trump asked which outlet he was with.

"NBC," Gutierrez said.



*MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow and Nicolle Wallace appeared on MSNBC’s post-address coverage. (MSNBC)*



Trump has called out other reporters similarly in the last few weeks.

On Thursday, Trump called on MSNBC hosts Nicolle Wallace and Rachel Maddow to resign for comments they , a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor, who was honored during Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.



*CNN's Kaitlan Collins ( Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for CBS News)*

A few weeks prior,  that former President Joe Biden is "a friend of CNN."

"that's why nobody watches CNN anymore, because they have no credibility," Trump added.



Rachel del Guidice is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to rachel.delguidice@fox.com.
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