Steve Bannon and Elon Musk Clash Over Influence in Trump’s Second Administration

Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon has launched a personal campaign to diminish Elon Musk’s role in the president-elect’s inner circle, exposing deep divisions within the MAGA coalition.

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.