Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, and Sergio Gor, President Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to India, have been embroiled in a public feud that culminated in Musk labeling Gor “a snake” on X in June 2025. The conflict, which reportedly began months earlier, sheds light on tensions within the Trump administration and contributed to Musk’s resignation from his advisory role in May 2025.
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| Elon Musk and Sergio Gor face off in a political showdown, with the American and Indian flags as backdrop, highlighting their feud over Trump's India ambassador pick labeled a 'snake' - Aug 23, 2025. |
Background of the Conflict
Sergio Gor, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, oversees the vetting of thousands of executive-branch employees. A New York Post report in June 2025 revealed that Gor had not completed his own background security clearance paperwork, operating under an interim clearance despite his critical role. This revelation prompted Musk to post on X, calling Gor “a snake,” a comment that underscored their ongoing disagreements.
Key Points of Contention
Cabinet Meeting Clashes
According to The Hill, Musk and Gor clashed repeatedly, including during Cabinet meetings, over personnel decisions. Musk reportedly criticized Gor’s handling of appointments, accusing him of mismanaging the vetting process. These public confrontations highlighted deeper divisions within the administration.
NASA Nomination Dispute
A significant point of conflict arose when Musk’s ally, Jared Isaacman, was nominated to lead NASA. The nomination was abruptly withdrawn just before a Senate confirmation vote. Reports suggest Gor provided Trump with a dossier on Isaacman, emphasizing his past donations to Democrats, which influenced Trump’s decision to retract the nomination. This move infuriated Musk, who saw it as a betrayal of his ally and a deliberate undermining of his influence.
An administration official clarified to The Hill that the final decision to withdraw Isaacman’s nomination rested with President Trump, though Gor’s role in the process strained his relationship with Musk further.
Musk’s Resignation from DOGE
In May 2025, Musk resigned as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role created to streamline federal expenditure. His departure followed a public disagreement with Trump over a major tax-and-spending budget bill, which passed the Republican-led House by a single vote on May 22, 2025. Musk’s exit was also influenced by his ongoing conflicts with Gor and other administration figures, marking the end of his tenure as a special government adviser.
Implications
The public spat between Musk and Gor highlights the challenges of aligning influential figures like Musk with the inner workings of a political administration. Gor’s nomination as ambassador to India, announced on August 22, 2025, has brought renewed attention to these tensions, raising questions about how his past conflicts with Musk might influence his diplomatic role.
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