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BumRushDaShow

(142,074 posts)
Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:20 AM 20 hrs ago

Musk, top Trump adviser clash over Cabinet picks

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



    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.
    30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
    Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
    Musk, top Trump adviser clash over Cabinet picks (Original Post) BumRushDaShow 20 hrs ago OP
    LOL: Doesn't Trumpy know who is in charge? FSogol 20 hrs ago #1
    I'm wondering if Trump will even bother to move into the White House lanlady 11 hrs ago #25
    This message was self-deleted by its author wcmagumba 10 hrs ago #26
    And so it begins. Dulcinea 20 hrs ago #2
    I am so looking forward to all this infighting. Intractable 20 hrs ago #3
    When they're fighting Nasruddin 17 hrs ago #19
    119 million dollars of strings attached is going to choke someone sooner or later IA8IT 20 hrs ago #4
    I've lost count--what season of The Apprentice is this? tanyev 20 hrs ago #5
    I wonder... 2naSalit 20 hrs ago #6
    It's clear Trump's addled brain is now totally incapable of any rational or independent decision-making. sop 19 hrs ago #7
    Trump's mental status same as past Republican Presidents...... DENVERPOPS 17 hrs ago #20
    Trump has always set up his staff to fight with each other. Irish_Dem 19 hrs ago #8
    Interesting Mike 03 19 hrs ago #9
    So, who will be the first to go - Musk or Epshteyn. My guess is Epshteyn then patricia92243 19 hrs ago #10
    After he goes ... VMA131Marine 9 hrs ago #30
    I still say Elon won't even make it to inaug day. louis-t 19 hrs ago #11
    This is a feature, not a bug Deminpenn 19 hrs ago #12
    Or in this case, each one may be trying to have at least one person between himself and the nearest window. taxi 10 hrs ago #27
    the orange asshole as long been known to pit people against each other in his past admin Javaman 19 hrs ago #13
    Meanwhile, Russian Artem Klyushin is posting directions for the transition and new regime openly on Twitter Emrys 18 hrs ago #14
    "Fine people" we'll see how it shakes out for Musk TBF 18 hrs ago #15
    Like 2 guys fighting over a woman. It would be comical if the whole situation wasn't threatening our democracy. Fla Dem 18 hrs ago #16
    Good - let the infighting continue. iluvtennis 17 hrs ago #17
    And once again...justice delayed justice denied JT45242 17 hrs ago #18
    I'm eagerly anticipating the inevitable Musk - Trump clash ToxMarz 17 hrs ago #21
    I can see now why Epshteyn is pushing Gaetz. surfered 17 hrs ago #22
    Let's hope that the white house is so dysfunctional, that little or noting of Project 2025 gets achieved. Crowman2009 16 hrs ago #23
    Everyone needs to start referring to Elon as President Musk. Widespread use of that term is the only thing Vinca 16 hrs ago #24
    Where is Vance,Trump have him eliminated already? Bengus81 10 hrs ago #28
    Vance/Vantz is probably out looking for a 'proper' white wife. keithbvadu2 10 hrs ago #29

    FSogol

    (46,464 posts)
    1. LOL: Doesn't Trumpy know who is in charge?
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:25 AM
    20 hrs ago

    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

    (7,182 posts)
    25. I'm wondering if Trump will even bother to move into the White House
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 05:29 PM
    11 hrs ago

    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.



    Response to lanlady (Reply #25)

    Intractable

    (476 posts)
    3. I am so looking forward to all this infighting.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:26 AM
    20 hrs ago

    Fight, fight, fight.

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

    Nasruddin

    (837 posts)
    19. When they're fighting
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 10:48 AM
    17 hrs ago

    There's less time and energy for doing.

    Unless they're drug addicts, which is possible.

    sop

    (11,162 posts)
    7. It's clear Trump's addled brain is now totally incapable of any rational or independent decision-making.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:40 AM
    19 hrs ago

    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

    (9,941 posts)
    20. Trump's mental status same as past Republican Presidents......
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 10:58 AM
    17 hrs ago

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

    Irish_Dem

    (57,038 posts)
    8. Trump has always set up his staff to fight with each other.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:44 AM
    19 hrs ago

    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

    (16,744 posts)
    9. Interesting
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:52 AM
    19 hrs ago

    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

    (12,823 posts)
    10. So, who will be the first to go - Musk or Epshteyn. My guess is Epshteyn then
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 08:59 AM
    19 hrs ago

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

    louis-t

    (23,700 posts)
    11. I still say Elon won't even make it to inaug day.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 09:16 AM
    19 hrs ago

    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

    (16,293 posts)
    12. This is a feature, not a bug
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 09:24 AM
    19 hrs ago

    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

    (1,942 posts)
    27. Or in this case, each one may be trying to have at least one person between himself and the nearest window.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 05:59 PM
    10 hrs ago

    Javaman

    (63,088 posts)
    13. the orange asshole as long been known to pit people against each other in his past admin
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 09:33 AM
    19 hrs ago

    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

    (7,926 posts)
    14. Meanwhile, Russian Artem Klyushin is posting directions for the transition and new regime openly on Twitter
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 09:59 AM
    18 hrs ago
    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

    (34,260 posts)
    15. "Fine people" we'll see how it shakes out for Musk
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 10:05 AM
    18 hrs ago

    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

    (25,666 posts)
    16. Like 2 guys fighting over a woman. It would be comical if the whole situation wasn't threatening our democracy.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 10:36 AM
    18 hrs ago

    JT45242

    (2,881 posts)
    18. And once again...justice delayed justice denied
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 10:45 AM
    17 hrs ago

    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

    (2,246 posts)
    21. I'm eagerly anticipating the inevitable Musk - Trump clash
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 11:03 AM
    17 hrs ago

    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.

    Crowman2009

    (2,800 posts)
    23. Let's hope that the white house is so dysfunctional, that little or noting of Project 2025 gets achieved.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 11:52 AM
    16 hrs ago

    Vinca

    (51,007 posts)
    24. Everyone needs to start referring to Elon as President Musk. Widespread use of that term is the only thing
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 12:08 PM
    16 hrs ago

    that will end up forcing him to go away.

    keithbvadu2

    (40,052 posts)
    29. Vance/Vantz is probably out looking for a 'proper' white wife.
    Mon Nov 18, 2024, 06:13 PM
    10 hrs ago

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

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