Donald Trump sat in the Oval Office alongside his closest ally—Elon Musk, the man who has become the “ultimate boss” on most domestic issues—and his youngest son, X.

Surprisingly, the playful four-year-old seemed to annoy Trump more than the pressing questions from reporters eager for answers on the many issues the President has tackled at the rapid pace he promised during his campaign.

By the end of the press conference, Trump had delivered more indirect messages than actual news, carefully crafting his response to a range of challenges.

A Subtle Response to Time Magazine’s “Who’s the Boss?” Question

The setting of the press conference served as a direct response to last week’s Time magazine cover, which questioned whether the true leader of the United States was the duly elected President, Donald Trump, or Elon Musk.

Throughout the press event, Trump remained seated at the presidential desk while Musk stood, responding to questions and outlining his responsibilities as head of his newly established “super ministry.”

Without saying a word, Trump made it clear—not just to the public and the media, but also to Musk himself—that there is only one “number one” in the White House. The former president is a master of such symbolic gestures, crafting messages that deliver exactly what he wants without exposing himself or saying too much. When it comes to power and control, Trump refuses to acknowledge a second-in-command—and he made sure Musk understood that.

The Message: “Power Comes with Risks”

Trump allowed Musk to do the heavy lifting, explaining how his ministry would ensure taxpayers got more for their money. This served two purposes: it satisfied Musk’s undeniable craving for attention and media exposure while also shielding Trump from potential pitfalls.

Musk, on the other hand, took Trump’s move as a sign of trust. However, he found himself in an awkward position when journalists pressed him for evidence of the corruption he frequently claims to be exposing on X.

One particularly uncomfortable moment came when a reporter confronted Musk about his claim that $50 million in USAID funding was intended for Gaza, when in reality, it was allocated for Mozambique as part of an HIV prevention program.

In his characteristically blunt style, Musk admitted, “A lot of what I say or have said needs correction.” As Musk continues to overexpose himself, he will find it increasingly difficult to backtrack when faced with more serious missteps—ones that cannot be dismissed with a simple “my bad.”

A Shift in Political Strategy

Through this press conference, Trump reinforced a significant shift in governance. Unlike in 2017, during his first term, he no longer makes extreme statements himself. Instead, through Musk and his newly created ministry, Trump has introduced a narrative centered on “transparency” and “fiscal responsibility.” While these ideas seem reasonable on the surface, they also pave the way for a new kind of political crackdown.

Following the closure of USAID—an agency that once provided at least $500,000 to Musk’s Starlink systems for Ukraine—Musk now has the President’s backing to scrutinize agencies like the Department of Education and even the Department of Defense.

Trump has strategically positioned Musk as both a messenger and a “punching bag.” He understands that no government operates without some “gray areas.” If Musk manages to expose even one major case of public funds mismanagement, Trump will have all the justification he needs to push his broader political agenda.

The Judiciary: Trump’s Biggest Obstacle

The biggest obstacle Trump currently faces isn’t the Democratic opposition—who still lack a clear strategy—but the judiciary. Lawsuits filed by labor unions and high-level judges are already challenging his administration’s moves, blocking initiatives as the U.S. Constitution allows.

When asked about these legal challenges, Trump had a carefully prepared response: “I always respect judicial rulings.”

Meanwhile, his Vice President, J.D. Vance, has been far less diplomatic. In a recent social media post, Vance openly questioned the legitimacy of the judiciary’s power over the executive branch, arguing that judges are appointed, not elected, and therefore should not have the authority to interfere with the President’s actions.

Though Musk dominates headlines, Vance is strategically laying the groundwork for the administration’s deeper political ambitions. He is channeling the narratives that resonate with the public—unfiltered and unchecked—through social media.

By keeping Musk in the spotlight and Vance on the offensive, Trump is executing a calculated plan. His message is clear: he remains in charge, Musk does the “dirty work,” and the fight to reshape government is just beginning.