The White House adviser who fueled the Trump-Musk NASA feud

Top White House aide Sergio Gor was behind President Trump's surprise decision to withdraw Elon Musk's pick to head NASA, Jared Isaacman. Trump acknowledged that canceling Isaacman's nomination had "upset" Musk, who is close to Isaacman. Musk spent the afternoon criticizing Trump on X, leaving presidential advisers stunned and some angry at Gor. Senate Republicans blamed Gor for helping undermine the NASA nomination to settle a score with Musk, who had been critical of Gor's management of the White House personnel office. Gor has a tense relationship with Musk, who got into an argument with Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Cabinet meeting. Isaacman believes his fate was linked to Musk's deteriorating standing in the White House and an influential adviser's opposition. Trump advisers involved in the NASA director process said Isaacman was eminently qualified but was brought down by Gor's opposition. Senate Republicans, including Ted Cruz, did not oppose Isaacman's nomination, and Cruz had raised objections in December that were later resolved. Gor told others he wasn't responsible for the nomination's failure, but Trump advisers said Gor "spun up the president" by constantly mentioning Isaacman's donations to Democrats. The withdrawal of Isaacman's nomination means NASA won't have a confirmed chief for at least nine months.