Is first buddy Elon Musk already clashing with Trump’s inner circle?

Elon Musk is everywhere. The self-proclaimed ‘first-buddy’ of the US’ seems to be calling all the shots in Donald Trump 2.0. But this is not sitting well with Trump’s inner circle. A top Trump adviser, Boris Epshteyn, who has advised Trump on top Cabinet picks had a “massive blow-up” with Donald Trump in his Mar-a-Lago club last week, three sources told Axios. Musk even accused Epshteyn of leaking Cabinet picks to the media.
Epshteyn has pushed for a Cabinet position for Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
The rift came from Epshteyn’s influence on Trump, as his legal counsel on his criminal cases, and Musk’s support and $119-million contribution to the Trump campaign. This is not sitting well with Trump loyalists.
The DOGE chief, Musk, has been central to Trump’s campaign and his win in the US elections. He has contributed over $119 million to his Presidential campaign.
Musk questioned the credentials of Epshteyn picks, especially in the Justice Department and White House counsel, two people who knew of the conversation told Axios.
This is because Musk has his own Cabinet picks.
The two men confronted each other on November 13 at a dinner table in the presence of others at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, said three sources.
The sources called it a “massive blow-up” and “huge explosion”. The fight did not end here.
Musk even accused Epshteyn of leaking Cabinet picks to the media. Epshteyn questioned any knowledge of such an instance.
Sources aware of the situation and people who had seen the two men having a hard time in transition were not surprised about the rift.
That Epshteyn, Trump’s attorney, has been close to him and advised him on several appointments last week.
The appointments suggested by Epshteyn include William McGinley as White House counsel. Trump’s criminal lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, have been given senior Justice Department posts.
Musk has his own recommendations and picks.
He pushed for Trump co-chair Howard Lutnick for Treasury secretary and not Scott Bessent, who is preferred by Wall Street, reported the Wall Street Journal.
While Musk’s role in the Trump administration is not liked by a few, many in the administration have also accepted how to work with Musk.
This includes Vice-President-elect JD Vance.
Even Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, has reached “uncle status” with Musk and has shared a picture with him.
But Musk’s constant presence has begun to cause irritation to a few in Trump’s inner circle. Many even see him overstep his role in transition.
While Axios reported about a rift between two powerful men, a report by the New York Post denied any fight between the two.
The New York Post reached out to sources on the transition team who said that no “massive blow-up” was seen between the two men.
“People familiar with both Elon and Boris unequivocally state that the whole story is complete and total nonsense, which Axios is known for. The two have been working together very well and are both focused on assisting President Trump in Making America Great Again,” said the source.
As for Trump, he likes to have Musk around and even included him on a recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.