Elon Musk’s rapid-fire approach to reshaping the federal workforce has sparked a rift among some White House officials and those closest to President Donald Trump. The billionaire executive, who serves as a special government employee, has been making waves with his unorthodox methods, including demanding that all federal employees respond to an email detailing their work from the past week.
Sources close to the White House say senior officials have been initially caught off guard by Musk’s plan and are growing frustrated with the lack of communication between him and President Trump’s top advisers. Despite some concerns, however, there is a reluctance among some to intervene, given Musk’s immense wealth and influence.
Musk has gained support from powerful voices around the president, including Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, and Katie Miller, a senior adviser to his Department of Government Efficiency efforts. The Tesla CEO has also expressed confidence in his ability to navigate potential conflicts of interest, citing his companies’ $18 billion in federal contracts over the last decade.
As Musk’s special government contract comes to an end later this year, some are resigned to the fact that he is unlikely to be reined in anytime soon. Instead, they are focused on managing the situation as best they can until then. The rift between Musk and some White House officials remains a sensitive topic, with one senior official dismissing concerns as “completely false.”
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/musks-whirlwind-approach-sparks-rift-white-house-trumps/story?id=119179219