In an unexpected twist of modern political drama, Trump’s two most popular Cabinet secretaries are the ones who clashed with Elon Musk. At first glance, this sounds like clickbait. But when you dig into the story, it reveals something more interesting than your typical Beltway power play.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the Cabinet was a revolving door of personalities—some controversial, some forgettable. But two figures stood out in terms of lasting public favor: Jim Mattis, the former Secretary of Defense, and Elaine Chao, the former Secretary of Transportation. What do they have in common, besides topping post-administration favorability rankings? Both went toe-to-toe with tech magnate Elon Musk.
The Mattis-Musk Tension
Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general, was respected across party lines for his no-nonsense leadership. But behind the scenes, reports indicate that Mattis and Musk clashed over military contracts and SpaceX’s lobbying efforts. Musk wanted greater Department of Defense adoption of SpaceX technologies, but Mattis, known for a cautious and measured approach, wasn’t eager to bend to Silicon Valley’s most unpredictable CEO.
That friction didn’t hurt Mattis—it might have helped. Many viewed his cool detachment from the hype of celebrity CEOs as a sign of integrity. In an era where tech influence seeps into every branch of government, Mattis stood firm, and voters remembered.
Elaine Chao’s Public Rebuke
Chao’s feud with Musk was more public. In 2018, Elon Musk tweeted criticism of the Department of Transportation’s pace on tunnel permits for his Boring Company. Chao didn’t hold back. She publicly responded that Musk was “not a team player” and that regulations existed for safety, not showmanship.
Again, this didn’t cost her popularity. In fact, Chao’s measured response to Musk’s antics played well with a public increasingly skeptical of tech billionaires operating without oversight.
Why These Clashes Matter
That Trump’s two most popular Cabinet secretaries are the ones who clashed with Elon Musk says something about where public opinion is headed. Once celebrated as a visionary, Musk now walks a tighter rope. His critics say he overpromises and underdelivers; his fans call it genius in motion. But when Cabinet secretaries push back—and don’t just fall in line—people notice.
The Bigger Picture
Musk isn’t just a businessman. He’s become a cultural force, wielding influence over industries from EVs to space travel to AI. When traditional government officials like Mattis and Chao challenge him, it reminds the public that accountability still matters, even in the face of billionaire ambition.
In a political climate dominated by noise, the popularity of these two Cabinet secretaries highlights something surprisingly simple: people still respect calm, principled resistance—especially when it’s aimed at unchecked power.
