Source denies Elon Musk had ‘massive blowup’ with Trump adviser
A Donald Trump transition source is denying a report that Tesla CEO Elon Musk had a “massive blowup” at a dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
Axios claimed Musk, who was named co-head of a new advisory body known as the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), has been feuding with Boris Epshteyn, a special assistant to Trump during his first term in 2017.
Last Wednesday, the tension between the two men reportedly reached a boiling point at Trump’s Florida estate. Dinner guests witnessed a “massive blowup” and a “huge explosion” as Musk lashed out at Epshteyn about tipping off the media, the outlet reported.
But a source with the transition team said it wasn’t true.
“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,” they said.
Axios, citing unnamed sources, reported that Musk has complained that Epshteyn, a Trump adviser, had too much influence in his recent picks, including the controversial selection of Matt Gaetz for attorney general.
Trump also named William McGinley, a longtime Republican lawyer, as his White House counsel — another move the Axios sources claimed was attributed to Epshteyn’s influence.
Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, two of Trump’s defense lawyers, were also given senior Justice Department positions.
The Axios sources also claimed that Musk has managed to ingratiate himself with key figures including Tucker Carlson, Vice President-elect JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Kai Trump — the president-elect’s 17-year-old granddaughter.
Musk, top Trump adviser clash over Cabinet picks https://t.co/1bj1fkpvnv
— Axios (@axios) November 18, 2024
But the old hands who have been with Trump for years are reportedly chafing at Musk’s constant presence at Mar-a-Lago as well as on Trump Force One.
Musk’s pull with Trump will be put to the test when the president-elect finally decides on a nominee for Treasury secretary.
Howard Lutnick, the Trump transition leader who was thought to be the top candidate for the job, has reportedly fallen back in the race — prompting Musk to issue a public endorsement for the Cantor Fitzgerald boss.
Scott Bessent, the former money manager for liberal billionaire financier George Soros, is under consideration, as are former Fed governor Kevin Warsh and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan.