Behind the scenes of Donald Trump second term, one high-profile tension has quietly simmered — and it involves none other than Elon Musk. Despite his clout and ambition, Musk has reportedly found himself at odds with Trump’s powerful chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who insiders say isn’t exactly his biggest fan.
From the start, Wiles seemed less than thrilled about Musk’s attempts to muscle into White House operations. Just days after Trump’s inauguration, The Times revealed that Wiles had blocked Musk’s plans to set up an office in the West Wing. Her reasoning? She’s said to have little patience for those who go rogue or chase the spotlight — and Musk, with his unpredictable social media habits and constant stream of emails, may have fit that profile a little too well.
Things escalated when Musk began sending messages to federal employees asking for updates — without first clearing it with Wiles or the administration. One insider described the mood as frustrated, noting that people in the White House were “finding things out on Twitter.” Not exactly a recipe for smooth collaboration. Wiles reportedly asked Musk to coordinate directly with her before making any public statements, especially those that could impact policy or protocol.
Not everyone believed the tension amounted to a full-blown feud. Some sources painted a more nuanced picture, suggesting that while there was definite irritation, it hadn’t spiraled into open hostility. Still, given Trump’s own quip about Wiles being able to flip from charming to “brutal,” even a mild grudge from her could be costly.
Interestingly, Musk appeared to try and smooth things over. In a moment that quickly went viral, he was seen helping Wiles by carrying her bag as they approached a waiting helicopter. The billionaire even posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I’m a big fan of Susie Wiles,” leading many to believe he was trying to repair the relationship.
But by April, it seemed the writing was on the wall. Politico reported that Trump had already begun planning Musk’s exit from his informal advisory role. Insiders cited concerns that Musk, for all his brilliance, was becoming a “one-man wrecking ball.” Combined with Tesla’s slipping stock price and backlash over his crypto antics, the pressure mounted.
Ultimately, Musk confirmed he’d be stepping back from his White House involvement. While Wiles may not be celebrating, sources say she’s likely relieved.
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