Musk Labels Trump’s India Nominee a ‘Snake’
Elon Musk’s clash with Sergio Gor sparks controversy over NASA nomination.
A bitter feud between tech mogul Elon Musk and Sergio Gor, Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India, has resurfaced following Gor’s appointment, reigniting questions about loyalty and trust within the Trump administration. In June 2025, Musk publicly labeled Gor a “snake” on X, accusing him of undermining a key ally and failing to meet security clearance standards, a charge that fueled tensions between the billionaire and the White House.
The conflict traces back to Gor’s role as Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, where he oversees the vetting of thousands of federal appointees. Musk’s ire stemmed from Gor’s alleged interference in blocking Jared Isaacman, a close Musk ally and billionaire astronaut, from becoming NASA administrator. Reports indicate Gor provided Trump with a dossier highlighting Isaacman’s past donations to Democrats, leading to the nomination’s withdrawal just days before a Senate confirmation vote. “This was Sergio’s out-the-door ‘f**k you’ to Musk,” a White House official remarked, underscoring the personal nature of the dispute.
Musk, who briefly led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash federal spending, clashed with Gor during a heated March Cabinet meeting over agency cuts. Musk’s frustration grew as Gor, wary of the billionaire’s growing influence, reportedly sidelined him from key decisions, fostering distrust between Musk and Trump. The rift culminated in Musk’s resignation from DOGE in May 2025, followed by his public criticism of Trump’s tax-and-spending bill, which he called a “disgusting abomination” for inflating the federal deficit.
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Adding fuel to the fire, a New York Post report claimed Gor had not completed Standard Form 86 (SF-86), a critical security clearance document, despite overseeing vetting for thousands of staffers. Musk seized on this, accusing Gor of “breaking the law” on X. The White House dismissed the report as “baseless gossip,” with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Vice President JD Vance defending Gor’s loyalty and competence.
Trump announced Gor’s nomination on August 22, 2025, praising his “great friend” for staffing nearly 4,000 “America First Patriots” across federal departments and contributing to his campaigns and best-selling books. Gor, 38, born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and a long-time Republican operative, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the US in India and as Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. His nomination, however, comes amid strained US-India relations, exacerbated by Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s oil purchases from Russia.
Despite the controversy, Gor enjoys strong support within Trump’s circle. “Sergio has led the effort to ensure committed, principled America First advocates staff the President’s government,” Vance stated. As Gor awaits Senate confirmation, the public spat with Musk highlights the delicate balance of power and loyalty in Trump’s administration, with implications for US-India relations.
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