Listen to this Post
A Behind-the-Scenes Power Feud Between Tech and Politics
A late-night comment from Elon Musk has reignited attention on the hidden fractures within the Trump-era political machine, pulling the spotlight onto Sergio Gor — a relatively obscure but powerful Republican insider. Musk, responding to a report questioning Gor’s security clearance, dismissed the longtime Trump adviser as a “snake” on X (formerly Twitter). While brief, the comment peeled back layers of political drama, personal resentment, and failed collaboration between the world’s richest man and a former U.S. president.
This high-stakes fallout reveals a deeper schism in the alliance between Musk and Trump — one of the most unusual and publicly watched partnerships in recent American political memory. At the heart of it lies Gor, a gatekeeper to the Trump White House who may have played a pivotal role in pushing Musk out of the inner circle. Though both Trump and Musk have softened their rhetoric in recent months, this latest flare-up shows that old wounds — especially those tied to trust and betrayal — haven’t fully healed.
Power and Resentment: the Original
Elon Musk publicly lashed out at Sergio Gor, calling him a “snake” on X in reaction to a New York Post article that raised concerns about Gor’s security clearance. While the White House quickly denied any wrongdoing, Musk’s comment went beyond protocol — signaling a personal vendetta rooted in a crumbled alliance.
At the center of this tension is Gor’s role as a behind-the-scenes operator within the Trump administration. As Director of the White House Personnel Office, he wielded significant control over federal hiring, including appointments within tech policy sectors like DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), which Musk once headed. Musk’s rapid influence in this role seemingly alarmed Gor, who allegedly began working covertly to diminish Musk’s access to the president.
Sources say Gor maneuvered to exclude Musk from key meetings, advised against DOGE initiatives, and may have sowed doubts about Musk’s loyalty — actions that ultimately led to Musk’s resignation and his criticism of the Trump administration. Despite their public falling out, Trump and Musk have since exchanged more conciliatory remarks, signaling a détente. Yet, Musk’s pointed attack on Gor indicates that animosity still simmers, especially towards those seen as manipulators behind the scenes.
Sergio Gor himself has a long-standing presence in Republican politics, known more for his influence than public visibility. His management of Trump’s personnel operations gave him immense leverage, particularly in tech-related roles. While Gor hasn’t commented on Musk’s jab, insiders say the two men’s rivalry was common knowledge in the West Wing.
What Undercode Say:
The Musk-Gor feud is emblematic of how modern political influence operates — not just through elections and public office, but through relationships, access, and the machinery of personnel. While the Musk-Trump alliance appeared strong from the outside, it was in fact built on volatile chemistry, competing egos, and competing visions for the role of technology in governance.
Musk’s DOGE initiative was designed to inject Silicon Valley efficiency into federal bureaucracy. But that very disruption is what made him a threat to established gatekeepers like Sergio Gor. Gor’s position as personnel director gave him the power not just to facilitate policy, but to shape the ideological makeup of Trump’s team. When someone like Musk — unorthodox, loud, and uncontrollable — entered that system, resistance was almost inevitable.
The “snake” label isn’t just a personal insult; it’s a narrative weapon. It frames Gor not as a failed administrator, but as a saboteur. For Musk’s followers, it reinforces the idea that innovation is often stifled by entrenched bureaucracy. For Trump’s loyalists, it raises uncomfortable questions about who really controls the levers of influence within their movement.
What’s also intriguing is the semi-reconciliation between Trump and Musk. It speaks to a recognition of mutual utility. Trump wants the reach and symbolism of Musk’s endorsement, while Musk values proximity to power, especially as tech policy becomes a political battlefield. But this détente remains fragile, and Gor represents the unresolved middle — a reminder that behind every political bromance is a web of operatives with their own ambitions.
Ultimately, the drama reveals that Silicon Valley power players like Musk can enter the political arena, but they rarely leave unscathed. Unlike corporate boardrooms, Washington runs on control, loyalty, and quiet influence — traits that collide with Musk’s bombastic, transparent style. In this world, even the richest man can be sidelined with a whisper.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ The New York Post did report concerns over Sergio Gor’s security clearance, though these claims were denied by the White House.
✅ Musk did refer to Sergio Gor as a “snake” on his platform X.
❌ There is no official confirmation that Gor was the sole reason for Musk’s departure from the DOGE initiative, though multiple sources suggest internal tensions contributed.
📊 Prediction:
As the U.S. heads toward another contentious election cycle, the Musk-Trump dynamic will likely resurface in new forms — possibly via tech-policy battles, AI regulation, or public endorsements. Expect more passive-aggressive social media jabs, but also strategic alignments where useful. If Trump returns to power, Gor’s role may become even more central — and that could reignite friction with Musk or similar disruptive figures.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.quora.com/topic/Technology
Wikipedia
OpenAi & Undercode AI
Image Source:
Unsplash
Undercode AI DI v2