President Donald Trump is working to broker peace between two of his most influential and volatile allies: Elon Musk and Steve Bannon. The power struggle behind the scenes has escalated to the point where it could significantly impact the future of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Recently, reports indicated tensions within the White House, where cabinet members pushed back against Musk’s growing influence over federal departments, with Bannon amplifying the situation. On March 7, 2025, Bannon, on his podcast "War Room," criticized Musk's presence within the Trump circle, claiming, "I don't want to say an anchor or lodestone... but it's trending — that's starting to affect everybody." This marked the latest round of Bannon’s long-standing critiques, which have included pejorative labels for Musk, characterizing him as both an interloper and a "parasitic illegal immigrant."
Insiders reported Trump urged Bannon as recently as February to cool his attacks on Musk and even suggested the two have a face-to-face meeting, which has yet to happen. Trump's attempts to mediate showcase his awareness of how Bannon’s considerable influence within the MAGA base could jeopardize his political ambitions if not reconciled with Musk.
Despite their ideological differences, Trump appears to want to keep both men within his orbit. Bannon, who served as chief strategist during Trump's first term, believes Musk's involvement complicates the MAGA agenda. According to Raheem Kassam, editor-in-chief of The National Pulse and Bannon ally, Bannon perceives Musk's rise as threatening: "Oh no, there's an atheistic, amoral, C.C.P.-aligned, unaccountable foreigner that's going to be the head of the MAGA movement at some point," he stated, reflecting growing anxieties among Bannon's supporters about Musk's intentions.
Behind the scenes, Musk has shown irritation at Bannon's relentless criticisms, engaging sporadically but largely avoiding direct confrontation. Last month, he posted on X, saying, "Bannon is a great talker, but not a great doer. What did he get done this week? Nothing." Bannon's response indicates deep philosophical divergences, as he has repeatedly warned of the risks posed by billionaires like Musk: "If we don't... it's going to destroy not just this country, it's going to destroy the world."
The ideological split manifests starkly at events like the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where Musk and Bannon both attracted enthusiastic crowds. During the conference, Musk called attention to his transformation from critic of Trump to supporter, asserting he loved Trump "as much as a straight man can love another man," reflecting a newfound alignment. Bannon, simultaneously praising Musk as "Superman," crafted his narrative around preserving MAGA's core identity: "They're gonna know two things: Donald Trump and MAGA, OK?"
This schism within MAGA is emblematic of broader ideological conflicts, pitting those like Bannon—the battle-scarred populist warrior—against Musk, representing the wealthy and the tech elite. Bannon's allies have even raised the prospect of his own presidential candidacy for 2028, emboldened by his unexpected second-place finish in CPAC’s straw poll.
Bannon's historical push for Trump to adopt a more populist agenda clashes with Musk's vision, which often aligns with the interests of the wealthy. For Bannon, sharing the limelight with Musk, whom he labels as inconsistent with MAGA’s core values, remains uncomfortable. "He’s still not a populist nationalist, he’s a globalist," Bannon noted, discussing how he perceives Musk's motives and long-term plans.
Despite Musk’s tumultuous relationship with the MAGA movement, he has undeniably amplified its message through his control of X (formerly Twitter). Republican strategist Barry Bennett articulated this sentiment, saying, "Musk is the volume button." He pointed out how Musk has enabled conservative voices to reach vastly wider audiences than was previously possible. This phenomenon of unprecedented accessibility has garnered appreciation among many Trump supporters, who recognize Musk's role as pivotal to the movement's current momentum.
Trump's administration is reportedly sensitive to these dynamics. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked, "President Trump is thrilled with DOGE’s historic work under Elon Musk," reflecting the administration's acknowledgment of Musk's contributions, notwithstanding the tensions with Bannon.
Looking forward, the question remains: can Trump successfully mediate the conflict between two titans of MAGA, each with their own vision for the movement? The stakes couldn’t be higher, as analysts warn of potential fractures within the MAGA coalition if ideological differences are not reconciled. The outcome of this internal battle could very well reshape the future of MAGA and Trump’s place within it.