The 9 Anticipated Split-ups in Trump World
MAGA 2.0 has united unexpected allies, but this initial period of harmony may be short-lived.
TroibNews 
This Valentine’s Day, Trumpworld appears to be on the brink of multiple messy breakups.
Back in January, the atmosphere was celebratory during the Inauguration festivities, with supporters from RFK Jr.’s MAHAmoms to New Right “cruel kids” and the entire Trump family mingling together. Social media posts painted a picture of unity, glossing over past conflicts. However, under the surface, tensions were already evident. Mere weeks after Trump’s election victory, Vivek Ramaswamy, formerly co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency, was ousted for his comments on X advocating for high-skilled immigration, which perturbed a segment of Trump’s base he was not closely associated with.
That incident was merely a precursor. Despite the public celebrations, the MAGA coalition has historically been a fragile amalgamation of factions that often disagree. These internal disputes extend beyond Trump’s closest associates and Cabinet members; they also pit Republicans against one another in Congress and across Washington. The friction is fueled by personal animosities as well. For instance, Bannon is currently embroiled in a conflict with Elon Musk, while the Treasury secretary and likely Commerce secretary are trying to navigate a rocky relationship.
At PMG Magazine, we decided to mark Hallmark’s holiday with a unique twist: identifying which pairs are most likely to face a tumultuous split soon. Whether viewed as rivalries, forced partnerships, or as we label them, odd couples, these individuals will need to find common ground amidst ideological or personal antipathy in Trump’s Washington — and some significant clashes appear imminent.
The breakup has already started, but it’s likely to escalate. Steve Bannon, a pivotal figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign, has profoundly influenced the nationalist-populist, anti-immigration facets of MAGA. Under different circumstances, Bannon and Trump would collaborate to bolster both factions of Trump's coalition; however, tensions are rising. Following his release from prison, Bannon took issue with Musk's growing influence. He warned Musk in January that as a recent "convert" to MAGA, he should study the movement rather than try to seize control, or "we're going to rip your face off." Bannon later labeled Musk "truly evil," asserting he would be ejected by Inauguration. To date, Musk remains unfazed, dismissing Bannon's criticisms on X, saying, “Bannon is a great talker, but not a great doer...What did he get done this week? Nothing.”
The differences are not solely ideological. Trump’s hesitance to mediate between rival factions has already resulted in a rift between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Both known for their politeness and religious faith, they may have to forsake their decorum under Trump’s demands. A disagreement has surfaced regarding the passage of essential agenda items for the Trump administration. While Thune advocates for separating border, energy, and defense measures from a complex tax bill, Johnson argues for a comprehensive approach dubbed “one big, beautiful bill.” Thune expresses skepticism regarding Johnson’s chances of passing such a broad proposal, which has led to additional discord between the two, highlighting a division within the Republican Party: those like Thune who build bipartisan relationships and those, like Johnson, who have advanced through Trump’s endorsement.
Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick had aimed for the Treasury secretary role, which ultimately went to investor Scott Bessent. Lutnick worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure the appointment, even taking shots at Bessent, alleging that he had only recently aligned with MAGA principles. Sources revealed a heated phone call where Bessent confronted Lutnick about his sabotage attempts, telling him to “go fuck” himself. Now, the two are expected to collaborate on various Trump initiatives, including a government-owned investment fund. Their ability to set aside animosity remains uncertain, given the characteristic dysfunction of the Trump White House.
Some pairings may harbor irreconciliable differences. Michael Anton, a former national security official, reportedly withdrew his name for deputy national security adviser after learning that Sebastian Gorka secured the position instead. Their conflict stretches back to the previous administration, as documented by Anton in a Claremont Institute piece from 2023. Anton recounted an incident where Gorka clashed with him over authorship of a Trump speech, leading to a confrontation during a Fox News segment. Although Anton is now with the State Department in a different capacity, they may still overlap in counterterrorism matters.
Brooke Rollins's ascent to lead the Department of Agriculture could create friction with RFK Jr. and his followers, particularly due to her pro-Big Ag stances. Rollins co-founded the America First Policy Institute, regarded as a bridge between Trump and the establishment GOP. Those in RFK Jr.’s orbit are wary of Rollins, specifically over her advocacy for allowing pork sales from crated pigs. With Kailee Tkacz Buller as her chief of staff—who has an extensive lobbying history in the agriculture sector—tension is likely to mount, as the MAHA coalition remains critical of her connections.
Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan as his AI adviser introduced another layer of contention, especially after Krishnan promoted easing immigration restrictions for skilled workers. While he focuses on AI policy, his alignment with tech companies’ need for skilled labor could put him at odds with Stephen Miller, strongly against immigration. This may ultimately lead to reconciliation as reports indicate Miller could adapt to Trump’s more lenient stance on H-1B visas.
John Ratcliffe's confirmation as CIA chief in January, during which he advocated for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allowing warrantless surveillance, sets him against Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of national intelligence. Gabbard had previously attempted to repeal that section and defended whistleblower Edward Snowden. Although Gabbard claims to view the surveillance tool as important, skeptics doubt her sincere change of position, generating potential friction in future collaborations.
Trump's selection of Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission signaled a shift towards corporate mergers and less oversight on AI regulation. This stance may create tensions with Gail Slater, anticipated to lead the antitrust division at the DOJ. While some speculate Slater will serve Trump’s agenda against “Big Tech,” others believe she will approach antitrust from a traditional perspective. Ferguson, however, has expressed intent to pursue social media firms for censorship of conservative messages, creating divergent approaches within Trump’s administration.
Currently, the relationship between Trump and Musk appears solid, with Musk proclaiming, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.” Yet, observers in Washington have long predicted an explosive fallout between these two. PMG senior political columnist Jonathan Martin noted, “The Trump Show is a one-man play, and there’s not room for anybody else, least of all somebody wealthier and with a comparable thirst for attention.” While speculation surrounds their dynamics, the Trump White House has a reputation for unpredictability, and a surprising resolution to their combustible partnership could still be in the cards.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
Back in January, the atmosphere was celebratory during the Inauguration festivities, with supporters from RFK Jr.’s MAHAmoms to New Right “cruel kids” and the entire Trump family mingling together. Social media posts painted a picture of unity, glossing over past conflicts. However, under the surface, tensions were already evident. Mere weeks after Trump’s election victory, Vivek Ramaswamy, formerly co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency, was ousted for his comments on X advocating for high-skilled immigration, which perturbed a segment of Trump’s base he was not closely associated with.
That incident was merely a precursor. Despite the public celebrations, the MAGA coalition has historically been a fragile amalgamation of factions that often disagree. These internal disputes extend beyond Trump’s closest associates and Cabinet members; they also pit Republicans against one another in Congress and across Washington. The friction is fueled by personal animosities as well. For instance, Bannon is currently embroiled in a conflict with Elon Musk, while the Treasury secretary and likely Commerce secretary are trying to navigate a rocky relationship.
At PMG Magazine, we decided to mark Hallmark’s holiday with a unique twist: identifying which pairs are most likely to face a tumultuous split soon. Whether viewed as rivalries, forced partnerships, or as we label them, odd couples, these individuals will need to find common ground amidst ideological or personal antipathy in Trump’s Washington — and some significant clashes appear imminent.
The breakup has already started, but it’s likely to escalate. Steve Bannon, a pivotal figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign, has profoundly influenced the nationalist-populist, anti-immigration facets of MAGA. Under different circumstances, Bannon and Trump would collaborate to bolster both factions of Trump's coalition; however, tensions are rising. Following his release from prison, Bannon took issue with Musk's growing influence. He warned Musk in January that as a recent "convert" to MAGA, he should study the movement rather than try to seize control, or "we're going to rip your face off." Bannon later labeled Musk "truly evil," asserting he would be ejected by Inauguration. To date, Musk remains unfazed, dismissing Bannon's criticisms on X, saying, “Bannon is a great talker, but not a great doer...What did he get done this week? Nothing.”
The differences are not solely ideological. Trump’s hesitance to mediate between rival factions has already resulted in a rift between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Both known for their politeness and religious faith, they may have to forsake their decorum under Trump’s demands. A disagreement has surfaced regarding the passage of essential agenda items for the Trump administration. While Thune advocates for separating border, energy, and defense measures from a complex tax bill, Johnson argues for a comprehensive approach dubbed “one big, beautiful bill.” Thune expresses skepticism regarding Johnson’s chances of passing such a broad proposal, which has led to additional discord between the two, highlighting a division within the Republican Party: those like Thune who build bipartisan relationships and those, like Johnson, who have advanced through Trump’s endorsement.
Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick had aimed for the Treasury secretary role, which ultimately went to investor Scott Bessent. Lutnick worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure the appointment, even taking shots at Bessent, alleging that he had only recently aligned with MAGA principles. Sources revealed a heated phone call where Bessent confronted Lutnick about his sabotage attempts, telling him to “go fuck” himself. Now, the two are expected to collaborate on various Trump initiatives, including a government-owned investment fund. Their ability to set aside animosity remains uncertain, given the characteristic dysfunction of the Trump White House.
Some pairings may harbor irreconciliable differences. Michael Anton, a former national security official, reportedly withdrew his name for deputy national security adviser after learning that Sebastian Gorka secured the position instead. Their conflict stretches back to the previous administration, as documented by Anton in a Claremont Institute piece from 2023. Anton recounted an incident where Gorka clashed with him over authorship of a Trump speech, leading to a confrontation during a Fox News segment. Although Anton is now with the State Department in a different capacity, they may still overlap in counterterrorism matters.
Brooke Rollins's ascent to lead the Department of Agriculture could create friction with RFK Jr. and his followers, particularly due to her pro-Big Ag stances. Rollins co-founded the America First Policy Institute, regarded as a bridge between Trump and the establishment GOP. Those in RFK Jr.’s orbit are wary of Rollins, specifically over her advocacy for allowing pork sales from crated pigs. With Kailee Tkacz Buller as her chief of staff—who has an extensive lobbying history in the agriculture sector—tension is likely to mount, as the MAHA coalition remains critical of her connections.
Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan as his AI adviser introduced another layer of contention, especially after Krishnan promoted easing immigration restrictions for skilled workers. While he focuses on AI policy, his alignment with tech companies’ need for skilled labor could put him at odds with Stephen Miller, strongly against immigration. This may ultimately lead to reconciliation as reports indicate Miller could adapt to Trump’s more lenient stance on H-1B visas.
John Ratcliffe's confirmation as CIA chief in January, during which he advocated for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allowing warrantless surveillance, sets him against Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of national intelligence. Gabbard had previously attempted to repeal that section and defended whistleblower Edward Snowden. Although Gabbard claims to view the surveillance tool as important, skeptics doubt her sincere change of position, generating potential friction in future collaborations.
Trump's selection of Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission signaled a shift towards corporate mergers and less oversight on AI regulation. This stance may create tensions with Gail Slater, anticipated to lead the antitrust division at the DOJ. While some speculate Slater will serve Trump’s agenda against “Big Tech,” others believe she will approach antitrust from a traditional perspective. Ferguson, however, has expressed intent to pursue social media firms for censorship of conservative messages, creating divergent approaches within Trump’s administration.
Currently, the relationship between Trump and Musk appears solid, with Musk proclaiming, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.” Yet, observers in Washington have long predicted an explosive fallout between these two. PMG senior political columnist Jonathan Martin noted, “The Trump Show is a one-man play, and there’s not room for anybody else, least of all somebody wealthier and with a comparable thirst for attention.” While speculation surrounds their dynamics, the Trump White House has a reputation for unpredictability, and a surprising resolution to their combustible partnership could still be in the cards.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
