Elon Musk’s Government Tactics Cause Frustration Among Top Officials
Trump’s Team Seeks More Coordination as Musk Reshapes Federal Agencies
Washington, February 16, 2025 – Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is facing growing frustration from top aides to President Donald Trump as he expands his influence over multiple U.S. federal agencies.
According to sources, Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, and her team feel left out of Musk’s rapid efforts to downsize the federal workforce through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency, led by Musk, is cutting thousands of government jobs, accessing sensitive data, and disrupting traditional operations.
Trump Stands by Musk Despite Concerns
While some White House officials are pushing for better coordination, Trump continues to support Musk, speaking positively about him to donors and allies. A White House official downplayed the reported tensions, calling them “initial operational hiccups” that have since been resolved.
Musk himself has denied any conflict, emphasizing that his close relationship with Trump remains intact. He claims to speak with the president almost daily, ensuring transparency in his restructuring efforts.
Musk’s Expanding Power in Government
On Tuesday, February 13, Trump signed an executive order granting Musk even more control over federal bureaucracy. The order requires government agencies to work directly with DOGE to cut jobs and limit hiring. It also stations DOGE “team leads” in every agency to oversee staffing decisions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Musk’s authority, stating, “Elon Musk is serving at the pleasure of the president, just like everybody else on this team.”
Tensions Over Secrecy and Social Media
Despite Musk’s claims of “maximum transparency”, DOGE has operated with high levels of secrecy. The agency has not disclosed who it employs, where it operates, or how decisions are made. Federal employees have been caught off guard by Musk’s sudden policy changes and access to sensitive data.
One source close to the White House revealed that Wiles’ team was frustrated by Musk’s habit of releasing major government updates on social media (X) before informing key officials.
“They’re definitely finding things out on Twitter,” the source said.
A particularly controversial move came when Musk’s team sent out emails to 2 million federal employees, offering them financial incentives to resign. Wiles and her team had not approved some of those messages, causing further tensions.
Trump’s Inner Circle Divided on Musk’s Role
While many Trump allies support Musk’s aggressive approach, others worry about his lack of coordination with the administration. Some see him as a “super genius”, while others are concerned about his unpredictable decision-making.
Musk, who spent over $250 million to support Trump’s re-election campaign, has gained unprecedented access to the Oval Office and federal agencies. Trump has praised Musk and DOGE as the future of government efficiency.
Meanwhile, Susie Wiles, known for her calm and disciplined leadership, is navigating the challenges of balancing Musk’s fast-paced approach with the White House’s need for structured communication.
What’s Next?
As Musk continues his radical overhaul of government agencies, tensions may persist. However, with Trump’s strong backing, Musk’s influence in Washington is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
