Musk, top Trump adviser clash over Cabinet picks

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

4 hours ago


Elon Musk has quickly become an influential figure in President-elect Trump's inner circle, but there are signs of tension between Musk and a longtime Trump adviser over Cabinet appointments to the new administration.

Why it matters: The friction between Musk and Boris Epshteyn — a top adviser who's pushed for Cabinet picks that include Matt Gaetz for attorney general — surfaced in public last week. It signaled a rivalry stemming from Musk's growing influence on the president-elect, to the dismay of some Trump loyalists.

Musk — who fueled Trump's election effort by giving at least $119 million — has questioned whether Epshteyn has had too much influence in Trump's selections, especially his top Justice Department picks and the White House counsel, three people familiar with the conversations told Axios.

At the same time, Musk has begun to push for his own Cabinet favorites.

Epshteyn has bristled at Musk's questioning the qualifications of Epshteyn's favored candidates, two of the sources said.

Zoom in: Their rocky relationship came to a head last Wednesday during a heated discussion at a dinner table in front of other guests at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, three people familiar with the episode told Axios.

At one point during what the sources described as a "massive blowup" and a "huge explosion," Musk accused Epshteyn of leaking details of Trump's transition — including personnel picks — to the media.

Epshteyn responded by telling Musk that he didn't know what he was talking about.

Zoom out: The rift between Musk and Epshteyn wasn't a surprise to Trump senior staffers and confidants who've seen tensions between them bubble up during the transition meetings at Mar-a-Lago that began shortly after the Nov. 5 election.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/11/18/trump-cabinet-musk-adviser-clash

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As a note, Epshteyn is under indictment in Arizona, with a 45 PAC paying for the legal representation. Unfortunately the AZ criminal trial date is not until 2026. He is also one of the un-indicted co-conspirators in the Georgia RICO case.

[FSogol]

1. LOL: Doesn't Trumpy know who is in charge?

I think the conclusion of the Dept of Governmental Efficiency will be that instead of a president the country should have a board of self-proclaimed high-IQ engineers who are willing to work for free to decide everything.



"Epshteyn responded by telling Musk that he didn't know what he was talking about."

I can just picture Musk clenching his fists and jumping up and down like a toddler.

[lanlady]

25. I'm wondering if Trump will even bother to move into the White House

I can definitely see him staying in Mar-a-Lago, golfing by day, bloviating by night, while his clowns pretend to run the government. Why, he can even ollow Putin's example of pretending to be working in the Kremlin while actually relaxing at one of his many villas and hide-aways.

[Dulcinea]

2. And so it begins.

The clash of monster egos is on. Sit back & watch who wins.

[Intractable]

3. I am so looking forward to all this infighting.

Fight, fight, fight.

These people can't help it. They are snakes in a pit fighting over small pickings.

[Nasruddin]

19. When they're fighting

There's less time and energy for doing.

Unless they're drug addicts, which is possible.

[IA8IT]

4. 119 million dollars of strings attached is going to choke someone sooner or later

[tanyev]

5. I've lost count--what season of The Apprentice is this?

[2naSalit]

6. I wonder...

When the shootouts will begin.

[sop]

7. It's clear Trump's addled brain is now totally incapable of any rational or independent decision-making.

Musk is joined at the hip with Trump, afraid to leave his side for fear someone else will usurp his position of influence. Elon bought Trump for $100+M, just like he acquired Twitter, only for a lot less money. He wants his ROI.

[DENVERPOPS]

20. Trump's mental status same as past Republican Presidents......

The Alcohol/Cocaine Addled brain of WBush, and the Alzheimers/Dementia brain of Ronald Reagan.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Trump has always set up his staff to fight with each other.

He loves the conflict, anger, turmoil. He feeds off of it and loves to control and manipulate others.
It ensures no one is as powerful as he is.

[Mike 03]

9. Interesting

One hope we apparently have is that despite Trump's best efforts to weed out anyone who will oppose his plans, there will still be people--in particular high-dollar donors--attempting to talk him out of certain plans.

Some of the plans I hope he can get talked out of, based on who his donors are:

1. Tariffs
2. 30% cut to federal spending
3. Betrayal of Ukraine (not very likely)

Some of his key donors come from the investor class and Wall Street. I can't imagine they want to see Trump emulate the Argentinian economic model.

[patricia92243]

10. So, who will be the first to go - Musk or Epshteyn. My guess is Epshteyn then

finally, Musk. You can count on it that they both will eventually be gone. It is just a matter of time.

[VMA131Marine]

30. After he goes ...

Musk will destroy Trump on Xitter

[louis-t]

11. I still say Elon won't even make it to inaug day.

He'll be like someone's little brother tagging along 6 ft behind on the sidewalk. He still thinks 119 mil bought him a place at the table. He really hasn't been paying attention. There is no loyalty from this bunch.

[Deminpenn]

12. This is a feature, not a bug

As was posted above, Trump loves to pit his advisers and employees against each other. The people he picks are already equipped with sharp elbows and a predisposition to fight. People in Trump's inner circle repeatedly cycle in and out. It is like 10 people all trying to get in the door at once.

[taxi]

27. Or in this case, each one may be trying to have at least one person between himself and the nearest window.

[Javaman]

13. the orange asshole as long been known to pit people against each other in his past admin

this time is no different and probably a lot worse.

he lives for chaos. when there is chaos, he feels he controls things.

it's really a truly fucked up way to live.

[Emrys]

14. Meanwhile, Russian Artem Klyushin is posting directions for the transition and new regime openly on Twitter

https://x.com/artem_klyushin

I can't be bothered diving in and quoting the relevant posts on his account, but if anyone wants to check them out they're blatant and regular, and "predict" nominations and directions for the regime in some detail.

A Google search on his name will show up a lot of background.

[TBF]

15. "Fine people" we'll see how it shakes out for Musk

Pissing off both Trump's advisors and JV (who is sitting somewhere trying to figure out why he has no role). The only way Elon survives this is if he actually figured out a way to rig the election and has the receipts. Otherwise, I see his time in the White House severely limited.

[Fla Dem]

16. Like 2 guys fighting over a woman. It would be comical if the whole situation wasn't threatening our democracy.

[iluvtennis]

17. Good - let the infighting continue.

[JT45242]

18. And once again...justice delayed justice denied

Hate to be a broken record but if DOJ and states had not slow walked all these cases the trump team would all have been in prison where they belong.

Especially the entire inner circle starting with mango Mussolini

[ToxMarz]

21. I'm eagerly anticipating the inevitable Musk - Trump clash

Trump does not share well with others, neither does Musk. This is the real world Thunderdome, there is no room for "equals" and both these players require absolute subservience. At this point, the powers of the Presidency trump Musk's wealth (and Musks wealth is absolutely beholden to the US Govt to operate.) Transactional Trump will demand something very valuable from Musk and public acquiescence or I predict an ugly breakup. But they may try and paint a smiley face on it.

[surfered]

22. I can see now why Epshteyn is pushing Gaetz.

[Crowman2009]

23. Let's hope that the white house is so dysfunctional, that little or noting of Project 2025 gets achieved.

[Vinca]

24. Everyone needs to start referring to Elon as President Musk. Widespread use of that term is the only thing

that will end up forcing him to go away.

[Bengus81]

28. Where is Vance,Trump have him eliminated already?

[keithbvadu2]

29. Vance/Vantz is probably out looking for a 'proper' white wife.

He had to apologize to his white supremacists because his wife is not white.