Elon Musk once called Trump’s chosen India envoy pick a “snake.”
Why Elon Musk Once Called Sergio Gor, Trump’s Pick for India Envoy, a “Snake”
When Donald Trump announced his decision to nominate Sergio Gor as the next U.S. Ambassador to India, he described him as a “great friend” and someone who had stood loyally by his side for years. The announcement, made on Saturday, was wrapped in the familiar language of trust, loyalty, and personal rapport that often defines Trump’s political choices. But behind the warmth of that endorsement lies a more complicated backstory—one that involves a very public falling-out with none other than Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, who once branded Gor a “snake.”
The tension between Musk and Gor spilled into public view in June, when Musk, replying to a post on X (formerly Twitter), did not mince his words. “He is a snake,” Musk wrote on June 19, referring to Gor, who at the time was serving as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. The outburst was triggered by reports that Gor had played a key role in convincing Trump to withdraw the nomination of Jared Isaacman, a Musk ally, who had been eyeing the top job at NASA.
For Musk, this was more than just political maneuvering.
But Musk didn’t stop there. He accused Gor of “breaking the law” by refusing to make public his Standard Form 86 (SF-86), a lengthy security clearance questionnaire required for federal appointments. The irony, Musk pointed out, was that the very official responsible for vetting thousands of others in government hadn’t gone through the same rigorous vetting himself.
Their clashes weren’t limited to NASA or vetting procedures. Musk and Gor had also crossed paths during Musk’s brief and rocky tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE—a tongue-in-cheek acronym for an agency created under Trump’s administration with the aim of slashing federal spending and downsizing bureaucracy. Musk had been brought in to inject private-sector innovation into government operations, but his stint ended abruptly in May. By early June, Musk had publicly criticized Trump’s sweeping tax cut and spending bill, warning that it would balloon the federal debt. That criticism reportedly soured his relationship with Trump, setting the stage for his later feud with Gor.
Trump’s Loyalty to GorDespite Musk’s attacks, Trump has only doubled down on his support for Sergio Gor. In his weekend announcement, the former president praised Gor as someone who had been indispensable to his administration.
He noted that more than 95 percent of key government positions had been filled under Gor’s supervision, calling the achievement historic.
Trump also highlighted Gor’s role in his political life outside the White House. From helping with his presidential campaigns to publishing Trump’s “best-selling” books, Gor has been an integral part of the Trump political machine. Now, Trump believes Gor is the right man to represent the U.S. in one of the world’s most populous and geopolitically significant regions.
Gor RespondsFor Gor, the nomination is both personal and professional vindication. The 38-year-old expressed gratitude to Trump, saying he was “beyond grateful” for the trust placed in him. “It will be the honour of my life to represent the United States,” Gor said in a statement.
Gor’s path to this nomination has been shaped by his deep ties to Trump since his first term. He was instrumental in raising funds for Trump’s 2024 campaign and has cultivated a reputation as a loyal operator within Trump’s circle—traits that likely outweighed any external criticism, even from someone as influential as Musk.
A Complicated BackdropTensions have been rising after Trump imposed a steep 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, with 25 percent of that framed as a penalty for New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia. At a time when Washington needs skilled diplomacy to manage this strained relationship, Trump has chosen someone he trusts implicitly—though critics argue Gor’s experience is rooted more in political loyalty than in foreign policy.
Whether Gor can rise above the controversies surrounding him and navigate one of America’s most complex diplomatic partnerships remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Elon Musk’s sharp words have ensured that Sergio Gor’s journey to New Delhi will not be free of baggage.