White House Aide’s Intervention⁢ Sparks Trump-Musk Feud Over NASA Nominee

⁢ ‍ Updated June 06, 2025
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A rift between President Trump ​and ‌Elon ‍Musk widened⁤ after Trump withdrew Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA. Sources say White House aide Sergio Gor played a pivotal role in the decision,which has ⁢ignited⁣ a feud between Trump and the​ billionaire.

Trump ​acknowledged that canceling Isaacman’s nomination “upset” Musk, a factor in⁣ thier recent falling out. Musk subsequently criticized Trump ⁢on X, leaving presidential advisers ‍stunned and some angry ‍at Gor, whose⁢ relationship ⁣with Musk‌ was already strained.

senate Republicans also reportedly ​blamed Gor for undermining the‍ NASA nomination. They allege he sought to ​settle a score with‌ Musk, who had criticized‍ Gor’s management ‌of the White House​ personnel office. Gor⁤ declined to comment on ⁣the matter. A White ⁤House official praised Gor’s “brilliance, hard work and ‍dedication.”

Gor, a prominent Trump adviser, co-founded Winning team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr. ‍The company publishes books by Trump and his allies. He also maintains⁤ close ties with ⁤Ike Perlmutter, a ⁤major Trump donor.

As the head of vetting ⁢political appointees, Gor implemented‌ loyalty tests⁣ to​ ensure new hires⁢ fully support⁣ Trump’s ⁣agenda. Isaacman’s past‌ contributions to ‍Democrats stood out, and Trump cited those donations when withdrawing the nomination.

The withdrawal leaves NASA⁢ without a ‌Senate-confirmed chief for at least nine‍ months, according to officials.

Tensions between ​Musk and ⁤Gor surfaced in March during a ​Cabinet ⁣meeting when Musk argued with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to The New ⁤York Times. Gor⁣ reportedly resented ⁣Musk’s involvement in⁣ personnel matters.

Isaacman suggested his fate⁤ was tied to Musk’s declining influence in the white House. He alluded to “an ⁢influential adviser” ‍convincing Trump to “kill this ⁤guy.”

One Trump adviser involved‌ in the NASA director process called the situation “crazy,” noting Isaacman’s qualifications and‌ potential as a voter.

Gor has reportedly denied duty, pointing ⁣rather to Republican senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who chairs‍ the committee‍ overseeing NASA.‌ However, advisers in several GOP Senate offices ⁢denied any senator or staffer opposed ⁣Isaacman.

Cruz had previously raised objections⁣ in December,questioning Isaacman’s donations to⁣ Democrats​ and his focus on Mars ⁣colonization. Cruz favors moon exploration to compete with China and maintain operations⁤ at the Johnson Space Center⁢ in⁤ Houston.

Musk contacted Cruz to ⁣address his concerns, and⁣ Isaacman pledged to prioritize ‌the Artemis program. Cruz ultimately held ⁢a confirmation hearing ‌for Isaacman on ⁤April 30, and the committee approved the nomination 19-9.

Sources anticipated ⁢Isaacman would receive significant ‍Senate support. “I ⁢thought we were going to confirm him⁤ this week,” Cruz said, denying any⁢ involvement in scuttling‍ the nomination.

A Trump adviser stated‌ that Gor “spun up ‍the president by just constantly ⁣mentioning the donations.” On may ⁢30, Gor provided⁤ Trump with‌ a background file ‌on Isaacman ⁢before a press conference with Musk. Trump then confronted Musk⁣ about Isaacman’s donations.

White House communications director Steven Cheung affirmed Gor’s importance, stating he‍ “is a⁤ vital member of the team.”

What’s next

The White ⁣House will need to find a new nominee to lead NASA, and the confirmation process ⁢could take several months, leaving the agency without ‍a permanent leader during‌ a critical period for ​space exploration⁣ initiatives.