Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk will be spending less time in Washington, marking a decline in their previously strong relationship. This shift is attributed to various factors, including Musk's controversial actions and conflicts with key figures in the Trump administration.
A major conflict arose between Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, culminating in a heated argument. Musk's appointment of Gary Shapley as head of the tax service further exacerbated tensions. Shapley's appointment was short-lived, being revoked by Trump after only three days. Musk's actions, including his aggressive cost-cutting measures at various government agencies, led to widespread criticism.
Initially, Musk enjoyed significant support from Trump's base, due to his campaign contributions and shared political goals. However, his increasingly controversial actions and conflicts within the administration led to a decline in his influence. Trump's decision to remove Shapley and to shift responsibility for staff and program cuts away from DOGE illustrates the distancing between the two.
While Musk's influence is waning, he still retains significant power due to his continued financial support of conservative candidates and his involvement in defense and information technology. The internal power struggle within the Trump administration is far from over, as cabinet members seek to regain control from Musk's appointees.