MSNBC Host Lawrence O’Donnell delivered a scathing analysis of Tuesday’s Oval Office press conference. At the February 11, 2025, event, billionaire Elon Musk appeared to commandeer presidential authority while President Donald Trump sat quietly at the Resolute Desk. The event highlighted what O’Donnell described as an unprecedented power shift in the White House.
According to O’Donnell, Trump appeared in a diminished role during the 32-minute press conference, with Musk controlling approximately 20 minutes of speaking time. The billionaire, dressed casually in a T-shirt and baseball cap, stood over the seated president, creating what O’Donnell called “a picture of presidential subservience the likes of which we have never seen—the most powerless image of a president of the United States ever created by a camera.”
Musk broke traditional protocols and brought his four-year-old son X to the high-level government meeting. The child’s presence raised eyebrows as he wandered freely through the Oval Office during his father’s presentation, with some social media users claiming the boy told Trump to “shush your mouth.” However, fact-checkers labeled these claims as “unproven.”
The focus of the press conference, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, has drawn intense scrutiny. Despite claims of uncovering “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse,” investigations revealed little supporting evidence. The DOGE website, intended to document these findings, remains notably empty of substantive information.
Among Musk’s most questionable assertions was a claim about $50 million in U.S. funds directed to condoms in Gaza—fact-checkers later determined this referred to a program in Mozambique. He also made unverified allegations about a former USAID administrator’s wealth and described federal retirement paperwork being processed in a mine shaft where elevator speed dictates approval rates.
Observers pointed out Trump’s uncharacteristic passivity throughout the press conference, starkly contrasting his usual assertive persona. O’Donnell remarked that such a scene would never have unfolded with former Vice President Mike Pence or current Vice President JD Vance, as Trump always maintained control.
O’Donnell highlighted that Trump’s dominance was evident in past administrations, where he was the unquestioned leader. Critics, however, mocked Trump’s lack of engagement, humorously suggesting that he should have been handed a coloring book to occupy himself while Musk handled the questions and dominated the discussion.
The dynamic between Trump and Musk has attracted significant attention. The MSNBC host pointed out that Trump has long sought the approval of the truly wealthy, most of whom dismissed him as someone who was only “phony rich” and “vulgar rich.” However, Trump seemed to have caught the attention of the world’s wealthiest man, though it appeared to come at the expense of his presidential dignity.
While O’Donnell’s criticism has been relentless, his credibility faced challenges in August 2019 when he falsely reported that Russian oligarchs co-signed Trump’s Deutsche Bank loans. Following legal threats, O’Donnell issued an on-air apology, admitting he should not have aired the report without multiple source verification.
The executive order signed during the event, expanding DOGE’s authority to reduce federal workforce and implement hiring restrictions, faces significant legal hurdles. Trump acknowledged that his administration must comply with court rulings that limit the scope of the order.
Questions persist about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s extensive government contracts through SpaceX and Tesla. While Musk denies direct involvement in contracting decisions, critics argue his proximity to decision-making processes undermines administrative credibility.
