Overview

• Steve Bannon has publicly vowed to remove Elon Musk from Donald Trump’s orbit, accusing the billionaire of prioritizing personal wealth over ideological commitment to the MAGA movement.
• The feud has highlighted a split within Trump’s coalition, with Bannon representing populist nationalists opposing Musk and other Silicon Valley elites who favor policies like H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers.
• Bannon has criticized Musk’s proximity to Trump, alleging that Musk’s influence is self-serving and calling his vision one of ‘techno-feudalism.’
• Musk, who contributed $277 million to Trump’s campaign, is spearheading the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to cut federal costs but has drawn skepticism over its feasibility and intent.
• Trump has so far sided with Musk on key issues like immigration visas, but tensions within his administration’s coalition suggest further challenges to Musk’s role after Inauguration Day.