Donald Trump’s inner circle is descending into full-scale warfare over who fills the final key Cabinet positions, with Elon Musk at the center of a bitter clash that insiders are calling “a knife fight.” As Trump struggles with Senate confirmation battles for his Cabinet picks, his transition team is tearing itself apart, with Musk’s growing influence igniting a series of explosive arguments at Mar-a-Lago.
Sources reveal a raw, behind-the-scenes battle between Musk and Trump’s legal advisor, Boris Epshteyn, who is trying to assert control over the administration’s direction. Musk, a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago, has reportedly been “acting like a co-president,” stoking resentment among Trump’s inner circle. His frequent boasts about his role in Trump’s victory and his business empire is starting to rub people the wrong way
“He’s behaving like he owns the place,” one insider fumed. “He’s parading around like he’s Trump’s right-hand man, and that’s rubbing everyone the wrong way.”
“He’s trying to make President Trump feel indebted to him. And the president is indebted to no one,” he added.
While Musk takes credit for the Trump win and pushes his agenda, Epshteyn, a polarizing figure himself, is making waves with controversial moves of his own. With legal troubles mounting over his involvement in the 2020 election coup attempt, Epshteyn has also inserted himself into international affairs, even offering to serve as a peace envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. His brashness has only intensified the tension, and his push to make Matt Gaetz attorney general—despite the congressman’s serious legal baggage—has thrown gasoline on the fire.
Gaetz, embroiled in allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, is struggling to gain the Senate’s approval. But Trump is reportedly determined to appoint him, going as far as personally calling senators to lobby on Gaetz’s behalf. With Republican senators demanding the release of a report on Gaetz’s alleged misconduct, it’s clear this is shaping up to be one of the most contentious Cabinet nominations yet.
Musk, however, is growing frustrated with Epshteyn’s influence and his aggressive push for the Gaetz appointment. According to sources, their clash reached a boiling point in what one insider called a “massive blow-up” at Mar-a-Lago, with Musk accusing Epshteyn of leaking details about the transition picks. Epshteyn reportedly fired back, telling Musk he didn’t know what he was talking about.
Musk has not responded to these allegations, but Team Trump continues to back him publicly, with a spokesman calling him “a once-in-a-generation business leader” and touting his vision for reform.
“Elon Musk and President Trump are working together to make America great again. His leadership will bring efficiency and real change to the federal government,” the spokesman said.
The real bloodbath, however, is over the position of treasury secretary, a job that could shape the future of the Trump administration’s economic agenda. Musk has made his preference clear: Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm with deep ties on Wall Street. Musk believes Lutnick is the man who can shake things up. But the alternative is Scott Bessent, a former money manager for George Soros, a man Republicans love to hate.
This battle for the treasury position has grown so intense it’s being described as “a knife fight.” Trump has even floated other candidates, including Wall Street billionaire Marc Rowan and former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, but it’s clear the stakes are high and the infighting is savage.
Washington insiders are not shocked by the chaos. Jeff Lord, who worked in the Reagan White House, pointed out that outsiders like Musk are always met with resistance. “In Washington, if you’re not part of the club, they’ll make you pay for it,” Lord said. “Musk is a genius, but he’s ruffling feathers, and it’s clear that not everyone in Trump’s orbit is happy with him.”
As the battle for key positions continues to intensify, Musk and Epshteyn aren’t the only ones fighting for power. Trump’s transition team is a warzone, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The question remains: who will come out on top in the ruthless contest for influence at Mar-a-Lago, and how will this chaos shape the next four years? Only time will tell.
