Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon sharply criticized Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader and close Trump ally Elon Musk as putting his own interests before the country’s interests.
Bannon spoke at Semafor’s World Economy Summit on Wednesday about the reported shouting match between Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith asked Bannon about the state of the economy amid President Trump’s tariffs and if he believes Bessent is the one running the economy.
“Well, not running the economy, but he’s a safe pair of hands,” Bannon said, later adding, “Scott is a safe pair of hands that understands capital markets deeply. He’s done this for 30 years.”
Bannon, who hosts the “War Room” podcast, noted the previous debacle among top Trump allies when Musk clashed with them over the H-1B work visas.
When there was uncertainty about Bessent’s nomination, Bannon said he thought Trump needed someone who was “steady” as a rock.
“I may not like it, but he’s telling the truth, that’s Scott Bessent,” Bannon said.
“And I’ll be blunt, if Howard Lutnick had been Secretary of the Treasury, it would have been an unmitigated disaster. Unmitigated disaster and this is about people putting their own interest first, like Elon, versus putting the nation’s interest first,” he continued.
Since before Trump was inaugurated, Bannon has vowed to work against Musk’s influence. He called the Tesla CEO a “truly evil guy.”
The vendetta, in part, began when Bannon criticized Musk over the H-1B visa debate. Musk is supportive of the work program, but Trump’s base wanted to get rid of the program.
Bannon’s remarks come as Musk is set to take a step back from the administration.
