The Japan Times - Everything is fine: Trump's cabinet shrugs off shrinking economy

News that the US economy unexpectedly shrank amid the chaos of Trump's tariffs did not stop his top team taking turns to lavish praise on the president as they met at the White House the day after he marked 100 days in power.

In a nationalistic touch, red and black baseball caps with the embroidered words "Gulf of America" had meanwhile been placed in front of each senior official sitting around the huge wooden cabinet table.

Billionaire Elon Musk even put one of the red hats -- which use the name the administration has unilaterally decreed for the Gulf of Mexico -- on top of his own signature black baseball cap.

"Everybody is outstanding," Trump said during the marathon two-hour cabinet meeting in front of reporters. "I've never been so impressed."

- 'Unparalleled' -

The 78-year-old Trump began by trumpeting his core topic of migration, hailing what he said was an "amazing job" of cutting migrant crossings over the border from Mexico.

When it came to the economy Trump's main message was to insist on the success of his sweeping tariffs -- and to blame his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden for the economy contracting in the first months of the Republican's term.

The billionaire tycoon had promised during his 2024 election campaign to boost the economy and lower inflation, but figures released Wednesday showed US GDP contracted at an annual rate of 0.3 percent in the first quarter.

"It's a big ship to turn around, and we're going to have the greatest country, financially, in the history of the world," Trump insisted.

Trump then turned to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to his left, joking that he was "my least controversial person" -- despite the growing "Signalgate" scandal over Hegseth's use of the commercial app to discuss airstrikes against Yemen.

One by one, Trump's cabinet -- which contains the most billionaires of any president's top team -- then took turns to sing the praises of their leader.

Hegseth, wearing a camouflage tie, credited Trump with a "recruiting renaissance" in the armed forces. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hailed "unbelievable" investment. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz -- also fighting for his job over Signalgate -- said the "world is far better and far safer" because of Trump.

Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles said it was "100 days that's been unparalleled in my memory, and the best, I can tell, ever."

Scott Bessent, Trump's treasury secretary widely regarded as a stabilizing voice on tariffs, hailed Trump's leadership as "momentous."

The ever-combative Vice President JD Vance then launched into an attack on reporters in the room for "focusing on fake BS."

- 'Lot of hats' -

On it went, with Musk eventually taking his turn.

"Elon, I love the double hat," Trump said of the Tesla and Space X tycoon. "He's the only one who can get away with that."

"They say I wear a lot of hats. It's true -- even my hat has a hat," quipped Musk, who has been heading Trump's cost-cutting drive at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency in addition to running his businesses.

But it could also be one of Musk's last appearances around the cabinet table where he has previously been one of the star attractions.

Musk recently said he will start to take a step back from his cost-cutting role to focus on his Tesla electric car business, amid protests at his involvement in Trump's administration.

This time it was Trump's term to dish out praise.

"You've done a fantastic job," Trump said. "You know you're invited to stay as long as you want. At some point, he wants to get back home to his cars."

K.Hashimoto--JT