As tech billionaire Elon Musk expands his influence over more than a dozen U.S. federal agencies, frustration is growing among some top aides to President Donald Trump, who want more coordination from Musk's team as he slashes the U.S. government, according to four people aware of the tensions.
Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and her team have at times felt out of the loop as Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency seeks to fire thousands of federal workers while accessing sensitive data and disrupting operations, the four people said. Wiles and some of her top aides spoke to Musk recently about the issues, according to one of the sources.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Musk projected alignment between himself, his tight-knit group of DOGE staffers and Trump. But underlying tensions with some White House officials highlight potential difficulties for Trump in balancing his core team with Musk's DOGE staff as they upend agencies in a sweeping restructuring that has challenged congressional authority and faced a series of lawsuits.
In the recent conversation, Wiles and her staff delivered a message to Musk: “We need to message all this. We need to be looped in,” according to the source familiar with the encounter. Reuters was not able to determine the specific date they spoke or what, if any, changes Musk made after that conversation. The source added that Trump himself continued to speak positively about Musk to donors and others.
Musk did not respond to a request for comment. The White House declined to comment. An official with knowledge of the matter pushed back at the sources’ description of tensions, saying initial “operational hiccups” had been smoothed out. Musk sends reports to Wiles at the end of each day and they speak by phone almost every day, the official said.
The official added that it was Musk’s idea to speak with reporters on Tuesday at the Oval Office with his four-year-old son by his side. “He showed up with his kid. We rolled with it,” the official said.
On Tuesday, Trump issued an executive order that expanded Musk’s power over the federal bureaucracy, requiring federal agencies to work with DOGE to make large workforce reductions and limit hiring. The order calls for DOGE to station a “team lead” at every government agency who will oversee all hiring decisions.
"This is a unified team,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday. “Elon Musk is serving at the pleasure of the president, just like everybody else on this team. He takes directives directly from the president of the United States."
In a subsequent statement to Reuters on Friday after this story was published, Leavitt said: "This story is complete bullshit from unknown sources who have no idea what they are talking about."
At the Oval Office news conference, with Trump beside him, Musk defended his role as an unelected official who has been granted unprecedented authority by the Republican president to dismantle parts of the U.S. government. He told reporters he speaks to Trump nearly every day, saying his work is in the interest of the public and democracy.
"The people voted for major government reform, and that's what people are going to get," said Musk. “All of our actions are maximally transparent."
DOGE, however, has operated in deep secrecy. It has provided almost no information on whom it employs, where it is operating or what actions it is taking inside government agencies. It posts little information about its work, providing only dollar figures for purported cuts in specific agencies and little concrete detail. It has stunned federal employees, sending its members into at least 15 agencies and gaining access to sensitive data. As a "special government employee," Musk’s financial disclosure filings will not be made public, the White House has said.
One of the four sources said that Wiles was not upset with Musk’s efforts to dismantle government agencies and downsize the federal workforce, but rather with his approach. Wiles, one of the two managers of Trump's 2024 election campaign, wants Musk and DOGE to keep her team informed and work in a more orderly fashion, said the source, who has direct knowledge of the matter.
"There is some frustration, but it's overblown to say it's a rift,” the source said.
The fourth source, an associate of high-ranking White House officials, described the friction as more serious and said Wiles’ subordinates had expressed discomfort over information that Musk released on his social media platform X before it had been vetted by senior White House staff. “They're definitely finding things out on Twitter.”
CONCERN OVER EMAILS
One point of contention is a series of emails that Musk associates began sending out to federal employees, including a January 28 message offering two million federal workers financial incentives to quit. Wiles and her team did not sign off on some of those emails, according to one of the four sources and a separate, fifth, source close to Trump.
To be sure, many of Trump's close allies and White House aides appear to revel in Musk's uncompromising style of governance. But his backing is far from unanimous, according to Reuters interviews.
Musk, the world’s richest person, spent over a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win last year’s presidential election. After Trump’s November victory, Musk began to spend extended periods of time with Trump, who has called Musk “fantastic” and praised DOGE staffers as a group of “super geniuses.”
As chief of staff, Wiles is one of Washington’s top power brokers. Under her management, Trump’s latest presidential campaign was widely praised as his most disciplined to date. She has a reputation for being self-effacing, turning down an invitation from Trump to speak to the crowd on the night he won the election. Multiple White House officials said they’ve never heard her raise her voice. She is often spotted by Trump's side while traveling on Air Force One. On a recent trip to California, when the cameras turned in her direction, she moved away.
Musk, meanwhile, is known for his intense, freewheeling approach to work and his enthusiasm for the limelight. He often posts dozens of times a day on his social media platform X, takes suggestions from site users and touts his propensity to work through the weekend.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
45 Comments
TaiwanIsNotChina
Well, yeah, they have to do with a new lawsuit every hour. If I were a federal judge I would be appointing a representative to be stationed in the oval office and report back what criminality is going on there in real time.
I'veSeenFootage
When your tactics are basically "do illegal stuff without any accountability", yeah, it will frustrate most people, even the ones on your own team.
Peter Neil
andrew carnegie was once the richest man, like musk. when he was young, he was banned from entering a library because he was a working class man, libraries were private and people had to pay.
he gave 90% of his fortune away, saying he didn’t need any more money. he built 3,000 public libraries around the world, invested in education, science, civil heroism, pensions in the pursuit of peace.
musk has never given one dime to anything. never donated to a hospital, food kitchen, homeless shelter, his non-profit is just a warehouse for his stock holdings to borrow against, doesn’t file 990’s as required by law anymore, and the only distribution from it was money to his family.
trump’s non-profit for kids with cancer was shut down because he used the money for his own purposes.
two incredibly greedy, lying, egomaniacs void of any conscience.
Bob Fosse
Won’t be long until some of his team turn against him and join the long list of ‘rinos’ under the bus.
iknowall
I'm sure it is frustrating for some . . .
bass4funk
Here we go again and the liberal media tries to sow doubts in the minds of the public with half truths
So you’re saying the POTUS doesn’t have the right to find out waste, abuse and fraud because it makes the Dems terrified and then they lie and come up with the lame excuse that they’re worried about hacking? Again, the left continue to cast themselves further into the sea of irrelevancy as a party, this is what the people voted for, this is what Trump campaigned on and the libs are trying to stop him? I have never known a party who wants to stay lost and irrelevant so badly as the Democrat party does.
patkim
And to think, Musk promised transparency. Well, if your own Chief of Staff doesn't know what you're doing, that's not being so transparent.
And Musk still has Tesla, SpaceX, and X (Formerly known as Twitter)? He can now get more government funding, no oversight, and hidden benefits from his ventures. If that's not a blatant conflict of interests, then I don't know what is. Oh, but right, he isn't officially an employee of the government because he hasn't been vetted and cleared. How convenient.
patkim
No, they are a group of "super- a kissers". That's how you get a job and position in Trump's administration.
wallace
There is no mention in the article about democrats, the left, or liberals.
Blacklabel
Desperate media attempt at “large scale social deception”.
bass4funk
Because we already know the truth
plasticmonkey
Read the first article of the Constitution. Congress holds the power of the purse and of oversight. Not the Executive.
bass4funk
Again, the Dems will lose on this, we have the right to know what is being spent, but I don’t care, the Dems have to live either way this (again) if they think this is the political hill to die on and want to defy the will of the people, best of luck to the Donkey.
wallace
Musk, the slasher, upset the Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who was not included in the discussions. Musk has no experience of the White House and is more accustomed to giving orders than discussions.
Ridiculous when he appears in the Oval Office with his children and nannies. No one else would be allowed. Trump looks amused with the antics of his child X.
patkim
POTUS does have a right to find waste, but he needs to go through the proper checks and balances. This is all taught to us in school. If the president has sole power to enact anything he wishes without approval of Congress and The Judicial branch, then it's not a democracy. If any other former president did that, people would be in an uproar about it.
bass4funk
He doesn’t need to, but he understands waste, he’s a trillionaire for a reason, again, the Dems can slow it down, but they won’t stop this in the end.
To you, not to most Americans.
Yeah, don’t go there, just don’t, we can’t ignore these talk about people who should have never been in the WH, we can make the same counter argument of people who we think who should not have been in the WH.
He’s a child geez, kids are rambunctious, that’s how kids are.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Oh it is not true that Trump is followed around by lawsuits like flies on you-know-what?
I'm saying he doesn't have the right because the Constitution says so:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Budget_and_Impoundment_Control_Act_of_1974#Impoundment
TaiwanIsNotChina
The fact he could even give his child a name really says it all.
wallace
bass4funk
Musk, the slasher, upset the Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who was not included in the discussions. Musk has no experience of the White House and is more accustomed to giving orders than discussions.
Musk needs to understand procedures and not exclude people.
Ridiculous when he appears in the Oval Office with his children and nannies.
I know you think you do but you don't speak for most Americans.
No one else would be allowed.
You don't take your children on official business along with their nannies and a photo op.
Trump looks amused with the antics of his child X.
bass4funk
So that they can hide or shred documents like in the J6 case? Sorry, not doing that again.
To you, not to most Americans.
So far, the only people complaining are the people who hate Musk (libs)
Yeah, don’t go there, just don’t, we can’t ignore these talk about people who should have never been in the WH, we can make the same counter argument of people who we think who should not have been in the WH.
According to whom? Something in the Constitution that says so?
Again, he’s a child, Kids do what kids do, he’s a parent, I’m a parent, it’s ok, as long as he’s not pushing nuke buttons all will survive.
lincolnman
MAGA-world - where a guy usurping their authority is hated...
But it's fine if he goes out and gives "Heil" salutes...
Musk will soon get the "Pence" treatment - hero to scum in one day...
bass4funk
Again, they will slow down and not stop him, they will not stop the inevitable and the more the Dems defend this, their chances of being elected to anything increases which is fine by me.
He does, and this is why the Obama and Biden appointed judges know this is just a quick-fix but not addressing the overall problem for them.
wallace
bass4funk
The fact he could even give his child a name really says it all.
Some education is needed. "Bono" is only a nickname his name is Paul David Hewson. Cher's name is Cheryl Sarkisian.
bass4funk
None, I’m a fan, but thanks
I know, but Still one name which she goes by.
patkim
Musk allowing his child in the Oval Office during a meeting with the press is just unprofessional and uncalled for. I did find it amusing when the boy muttered to Trump "You're not the president", and then Trump just ignored the kid. Seems like the kid knows more than Trump.
Musk promised transparency in his speech, but he obviously lied about that.
A reporter asked him about the 50 million dollars in condoms sent to Gaza claim, and Musk admitted that it was a lie and that there's going to be some lies and that "We can't bat 1000". What? So how are we to discern what is true and what is not if you yourself said that you lie?bass4funk
They really do that’s why his approval is over 50% nice try.
lincolnman
Just like with RFK Jr last year, where our MAGA-friends here were following their cult leader and calling him an "idiot", a "fake", a "Dem Plant", and the "world's biggest liberal lunatic"....
Then immediatly FLIPPED when Trump started making nice with him...
I can't wait to repeat all their Elon-love here when Musk pulls another over-shadow stunt and Trump quickly throws him under the bus...
Elon, prepare to join Mike Pence in MAGA-purgatory...
HopeSpringsEternal
Americans HUGELY support DOGE, cutting the waste, fraud and abuse out of the Federal Govt., about 70% in recent polling. Elon Musk = DOGE, his idea after all.
Trump and 1600 insiders LIKE having Musk draw media fire, because they like the context = DOGE, see above, D's and Media being exposed daily due to DOGE audit.
D's 'doth protest too much' - DOGE and Elon have moral and ethical high ground, with US taxpayers' support!
wallace
Musk and Trump approval ratings.
Trump sees massive drop in young people support after riding them to an election win.
"A new poll shows President Donald Trump’s much-vaunted success with younger voters seems to have stalled, as his approval rating among that demographic continues to fall."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-musk-youth-vote-approval-rating-b2697754.html
Donald Trump's popularity, Democrats' response, Elon Musk, DOGE, and Gaza: February 9-11, 2025 Economist/YouGov Poll
https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/51589-donald-trump-popularity-democrats-response-elon-musk-doge-gaza-israel-palestinians-february-9-11-2025-economist-yougov-poll
bass4funk
According to whom? The only people I hear and see online or TV complaining about it are the usual Trump haters
That’s news to the Dems really???
Well, if the Dems wouldn’t stand in Musk’s way, can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Well, in order to find out the real truth, let Musk have total unfettered access and then he can see and recommend where the cuts should be made, now if the Dems care about their policial future as a party they will allow him access, if they want to once again tick people off, then so be it.
Easy, stop slowing the inevitable
bass4funk
Again, which Democrats and who was sampled in the poll?
Stalled? I see.
Another skewed left-leaning poll.
https://www.youtube.com/live/GYFlBYWEB9c?si=0jQGiLci0Yk7VhcG
wallace
iknowall
Cher's name is Cheryl Sarkisian.
Like many actors and musicians, she decided to change her name, and her parents didn't decide on that. But the boy 'X' didn't have a choice. Adults are free to change their names but be thoughtful about naming your children. You don't want them bullied at school over their names.
wallace
Musk's vocal support and interviews of European extreme-right parties and leaders are disturbing to Europeans. His election interference is unwelcome.
stormcrow
Musk is an arrogant man who loves to break things. That should be troubling to everyone.
Bob Fosse
Have you read the headline yet?
bass4funk
I sure did.
https://nypost.com/2025/02/14/us-news/carville-admits-trumps-fast-pace-is-leaving-democrats-reeling-we-are-overwhelmed/
https://nypost.com/2025/02/14/us-news/defense-officials-prep-lists-of-military-cuts-ahead-of-doge-arrival/
But the new administration is less concerned about political fallout, experts noted.
“There is a different mindset now where the administration is willing to make cuts that will upset constituencies,” Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, told the Journal.
Again, it's going to happen and that is what the public overwhelmingly voted for and wanted.
Bob Fosse
So, you just didn’t understand it?
The people complaining are not just “the people who hate Musk (libs)”.
plasticmonkey
The Constitution states very clearly that Congress controls the purse. Period. It does not add a clause stating that such legislative authority is subject to the whims of the Executive.
Congress passed these spending bills and it is the Executive’s constitutional duty to faithfully execute what Congress has budgeted. The place to choke off spending is in the Legislature, not Doge.
Or can you give a constitutional justification for what Trump and Musk are doing? (“Americans voted for Trump and now everyone has to fall in line” is not in the Constitution)
plasticmonkey
Under the U.S. Constitution, people cannot vote to nullify the function of Congress and install a dictator.
lincolnman
Don't think so...
Republican lawmakers are pushing back against sweeping cuts to the federal government launched by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as their downsizing crusade begins to hit GOP constituents.
Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson, a senior appropriator whose district is home to a number of National Park Service sites, said in an interview his staff is talking to the administration about how an OMB-directed, government-wide hiring freeze will affect the National Park Service. The park service fired 1,000 full-time staff Friday but said seasonal hiring is resuming, exempting 5,000 seasonal jobs from the hiring freeze.
Sen. Jerry Moran, another GOP appropriator who represents the agriculture-heavy state of Kansas, has told the White House that DOGE’s dismantling of USAID will impact constituents who have long relied on selling their crops to a government program that fights hunger abroad.
And GOP Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, who chairs an appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the National Institutes of Health, said her panel’s funding bill includes language to prevent the White House budget office from slashing billions of dollars in health research grant money. Capito has long been a champion of the NIH, linking the biomedical research agency’s funding to grant opportunities in her small state.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/14/doge-trump-omb-gop-00204435
MAGA-rebellion...
iknowall
Musk is making great progress already in uncovering fraud, waste, and abuse.
If Europe had an equivalent of Musk, it would not be on the rapid downward spiral it is.
plasticmonkey
All Hail Musk, our lawless crackpot billionaire overlord!
patkim
You just described Musk to a tee. You got to give credit to Musk for being able to steal people's money and put it into his own account right in front of everyone. Only sane and intelligent people realize how wrong that is.
wallace
China's Take on Elon Musk's DOGE!
https://youtu.be/B1s4Jxcp52M?si=EHPoYIvh5FpWNqq2
very amusing
fxgai
Is that it?
Is that the story?
No point in reading the legacy media!