Trump’s escalating feud with Elon Musk has triggered a brutal intra-MAGA backlash, as Steve Bannon publicly targets pro-Musk venture capitalist David Sacks in a widening purge of tech-aligned Trump allies.
At a Glance
- Steve Bannon accused David Sacks of manipulating Trump ties for personal gain
- The feud follows Elon Musk’s public criticism of Trump’s policies and persona
- Bannon called for Musk to be deported and stripped of government contracts
- Prominent MAGA influencers are now turning on Musk and his inner circle
- A new poll shows overwhelming Republican support for Trump over Musk
Bannon declares war on Sacks
The growing rift between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has become more than a personality clash—it’s igniting a political power struggle inside the MAGA movement. In a recent episode of the War Room podcast, former White House strategist Steve Bannon launched a scathing attack on David Sacks, the venture capitalist and former Trump-appointed AI adviser. Bannon accused Sacks of exploiting his access to Trump for personal and professional gain, branding him “dangerous” and a threat to MAGA integrity.
Sacks, a co-host of the widely followed All In podcast and a close associate of Musk, has been instrumental in shaping pro-tech narratives within Trump’s orbit. According to Semafor, Bannon’s accusations reflect deeper anxiety about Silicon Valley’s influence on MAGA policymaking.
Musk rift triggers MAGA fracture
The infighting erupted after Elon Musk criticized Trump’s legislative record and floated support for a potential impeachment campaign. Trump fired back by threatening to revoke Musk’s SpaceX contracts and calling for his deportation. These remarks have since galvanized right-wing pundits, with figures like Alex Jones and the pseudonymous “Catturd” rallying behind Trump.
Watch a report: Trump and Musk break up, and Washington holds its breath.
Bannon further escalated by suggesting congressional investigations into Musk’s naturalization and alleged drug use. The rhetoric marks a stark reversal from Trump’s earlier alliance with Musk and signals a broader ideological purge in MAGA ranks. A Reuters poll confirms the shift: among Republican voters, Trump holds a 12-to-1 support advantage over Musk.
MAGA identity crisis deepens
This conflict reveals the fragile coalitions underpinning Trump’s 2024 momentum. With Bannon branding key tech allies as self-interested infiltrators, MAGA’s relationship with innovation elites is under siege. The Wired analysis notes that right-wing sentiment toward Musk is souring rapidly, especially among purist factions hostile to big tech influence.
As the purge intensifies, the movement risks alienating key funders and policy thinkers, potentially reshaping its tech platform and internal power map. The Trump–Musk fallout isn’t just a feud—it’s a flashpoint in the battle over what MAGA stands for in 2025.
