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President Donald Trump appeared overshadowed and powerless during a joint press conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Tuesday, according to MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell.
Speaking on The Last Word, O’Donnell described the moment as one of the most humiliating images ever captured of a U.S. president, arguing that Musk’s presence and demeanor made Trump look subordinate in his own office.
The press conference, meant to showcase Musk and Trump’s claim of uncovering billions of dollars in government waste and fraud, instead became a striking visual of power dynamics between the two men.
Musk, dressed casually in a T-shirt and baseball cap, spoke 3,666 words during the event, compared to Trump’s 2,487, according to O’Donnell. Throughout the event, Musk repeatedly interrupted Trump, stood over him while the president remained seated behind the Resolute Desk, and even brought his four-year-old son, X, to the gathering.
“This was 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,” O’Donnell said.
He compared the scene to past vice presidents’ relationships with Trump, stating that neither former Vice President Mike Pence nor current Vice President J.D. Vance had ever been in a situation where Trump was so clearly not in control.
“Mike Pence never had a day like that in the Oval Office with Donald Trump. J.D. Vance will never have a day like that in the Oval Office with Donald Trump, because Donald Trump is the boss of J.D. Vance,” O’Donnell noted.
Trump, he argued, has always sought validation from the “truly rich,” a group that, in his view, has historically dismissed Trump as “phony rich and vulgar rich.” Now, however, he has the attention of the world’s wealthiest man—one who has the financial means to bail him out of his mounting legal troubles.
Trump currently owes $82.5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll after being found liable for defamation and faces a $500 million judgment in a civil fraud case in New York. O’Donnell suggested that Musk’s support could be crucial to Trump’s financial survival, though the extent of Trump’s dependency on Musk remains unclear.
“We have no idea how dependent Donald Trump is on Elon Musk. There will probably never be a way of knowing,” he said.
Beyond the optics, O’Donnell also took aim at the content of the press conference itself, arguing that Musk and Trump displayed their “comfort with public lying.” Despite making sweeping claims about billions of dollars in government waste, fraud, and abuse, neither man presented any concrete evidence.
“They accused the government of billions in waste and fraud but didn’t produce a single fraudulent contract or recipient of abusive spending,” O’Donnell pointed out.
He challenged them to back up their statements with proof. “As soon as they can show us that waste, fraud, and abuse and prove it, I will congratulate them,” he said. “But so far they have found absolutely nothing, because they have produced no evidence.”
The press conference, which was intended to reinforce the administration’s efforts to cut government spending and reduce inefficiencies, instead fueled speculation about Musk’s growing influence over Trump.
With his vast wealth and business empire, Musk has positioned himself as a key figure in Trump’s second-term agenda, particularly through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Critics have raised concerns over Musk’s potential conflicts of interest, given that his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X, hold extensive government contracts. While Musk has dismissed these concerns, his deep involvement in government restructuring has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and ethics experts.
Trump, who has long styled himself as an independent businessman and strong leader, now finds himself in a unique and possibly vulnerable position. The Oval Office moment reinforced the perception that Musk, rather than Trump, was the dominant figure.
The billionaire’s ability to influence policy, dictate messaging, and even overshadow the president in a high-profile setting has raised questions about who truly holds power in this administration.
As Trump continues to navigate legal and financial troubles, Musk’s role in his political future remains uncertain.
Whether the billionaire will offer direct financial support or continue to exert influence through policy initiatives, his presence at the highest levels of government is undeniable.
For now, the visual from Tuesday’s press conference—a seated Trump listening as Musk spoke over him—remains a defining image of the current administration. It is a stark departure from Trump’s usual strongman persona and one that may shape perceptions of his leadership as he seeks to assert control in his second term.
