Steve Bannon has launched a scathing critique of Elon Musk, calling him a “truly evil person” in comments that deepen the growing divide between the two figures, both of whom have been influential advisers to President-elect Donald Trump.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, Bannon declared, “I will get Elon Musk kicked out by the time he’s inaugurated,” referring to President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration on January 20. He added, “He won’t have a blue pass with full access to the White House. He’ll be like everyone else.” In the interview, published last week, Bannon said that halting Musk’s influence had become “a personal issue” for him.
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Bannon, a key architect of Trump’s 2016 presidential victory and former chief strategist in his first term, has reignited his feud with Musk, who was a major financial supporter of Trump’s re-election campaign and has since become a constant figure on Trump’s side.
The attack highlights broader tensions within the right-wing movement in the U.S., where there are growing concerns about Musk’s influence and potential to reshape the direction of Trump’s political faction. Musk, the world’s wealthiest person and owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), is a major player in both tech and government business through his roles at SpaceX and Tesla.
Some conservative figures who initially welcomed Musk’s involvement in Republican politics now feel misled, casting doubt on the strength of their alliance with him.
Trump had enlisted Musk to co-lead an initiative aimed at reducing the size of the federal government, though it remains unclear what role Bannon might play in the incoming administration. Before leaving office in 2021, Trump pardoned Bannon, who had faced charges of misusing funds raised for a group supporting Trump’s border wall.
Elon Musk has remained mum on Bannon’s charges
Musk has yet not so far publicly responded to Bannon’s comments.
Fight over views on H-1B visas
A key point of contention between the two has been the use of H-1B visas to bring skilled foreign workers into U.S. companies. While Musk supports the visas, arguing they are essential for attracting talent, many Trump supporters, including Bannon, oppose them, claiming they harm job prospects for American workers.
Bannon also criticized Musk for losing the debate over the visas, questioning whether the tech mogul should have a say in U.S. politics, given his South African roots during the apartheid era. “He should go back to South Africa,” Bannon said in the interview.
