Elon Musk picked a fight with the wrong person, and now he's paying the price

Officials grew weary of Musk’s lack of consultation.

PUBLISHED APR 4, 2025

Though Musk attempted to smooth things over, it did not end well.

Washington D.C.: Elon Musk may have only been in Washington for a short time, but by god, did he rile a few people up. According to reports, however, the one battle he was always destined to lose was against the 'most powerful woman in the world', Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

It has been alledged that Musk treated Wiles like a "secretary", a source told DailyMail.com. Wiles, nicknamed the 'Ice Maiden' for her steely efficiency, helped steer Trump’s 2024 campaign but faced frustration as Musk bypassed White House protocols, making sudden policy announcements on X without coordination.

Trump reportedly reinforced that Musk answered to Wiles, but clashes persisted — including a heated argument with Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Cabinet meeting. Officials grew weary of Musk’s lack of consultation, which disrupted messaging and policy rollouts. Though Musk attempted to smooth things over — even offering to carry Wiles’ bag — his "slash and burn" approach to downsizing government sparked lawsuits and political backlash.

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Politico earlier reported Musk is stepping back early from his role as a "special government employee," a position with a 130-day limit. While Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed claims of a rift, calling the report "garbage," insiders suggest Musk’s unpredictable style and sinking Tesla stock made him a liability. His $20M investment in a failed Wisconsin Supreme Court race further dented his influence.

Musk will likely remain a GOP power player, retaining access to Trump and Mar-a-Lago. But polls show 51% of voters view him unfavorably. Meanwhile, Tesla faces challenges under Trump’s 25% auto tariffs, which Musk admitted will hit the company hard.