A heated exchange between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Trump legal adviser Boris Epshteyn has exposed growing tensions within Donald Trump's inner circle at Mar-a-Lago.
According to Daily Mail, the dispute erupted during a dinner last week when Musk accused Epshteyn of leaking Cabinet selection details to the media, a charge Epshteyn strongly denied.
The confrontation marked a significant shift in the previously harmonious transition process, which set a modern-day record with 12 cabinet-level appointments in just 12 days following Trump's election victory. The growing rivalry between key advisers threatens to disrupt the carefully orchestrated Cabinet selection process.
A source familiar with Trump's inner circle provided insight into the situation, as quoted:
Winning helped make everything better for a bit but this is still politics and there are always scores to settle and axes to grind
The friction extends beyond the dinner incident, with some Trump loyalists expressing frustration over Musk's increasing influence and public commentary on appointments and policy. While a transition source attempted to downplay the controversy, claiming Epshteyn and Musk maintain a good relationship, the underlying tension remains palpable.
Epshteyn, who assembled Trump's legal team for his New York criminal case, faces criticism from advisers who claim he wields too much influence. His role in promoting Matt Gaetz for attorney general and securing Justice Department positions for Todd Blanche and Emile Bove has drawn particular scrutiny. The mounting pressure has led to speculation about his potential departure from Trump's inner circle.
Musk's position as Trump's "first buddy" has created additional friction within the group. His recent public criticism of treasury secretary frontrunner Scott Bessent and his endorsement of Howard Lutnick for the position have raised eyebrows. The Tesla CEO's commentary on international trade policy has also caused concern among Trump allies at a time when the president-elect plans to implement higher import duties.
Despite the internal conflicts, Trump has maintained a visible alliance with Musk, taking him to a UFC fight at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Some sources defend Musk's position, noting his significant financial contribution to battleground state operations and his appointment, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead administrative efficiency initiatives.
However, concerns about Musk's prominent role persist. A campaign source warned of potential consequences, stating that there is only room for one president, and Musk's increasing media presence has not gone unnoticed. Others maintain that criticisms of Musk lack merit, pointing out his unique position as someone without financial interests in specific appointments.
The transition from a smooth Cabinet selection process to the current state of internal competition reflects the complex dynamics within Trump's advisory team.
While the initial phase set records for appointment speed and consensus, the focus on economic positions has revealed underlying tensions and competing interests among key players.
The ongoing situation at Mar-a-Lago highlights the delicate balance between influential advisers and the president-elect's decision-making process. As Trump continues to build his administration, the resolution of these internal conflicts may significantly impact the final composition of his Cabinet and the direction of his presidency.
