Trump-Musk Clash... Will Tensions Spread to Their Closest Aides, the Miller Couple?

Husband Stephen is White House Deputy Chief of Staff
Wife Katie is Musk's Communications Officer

A married couple has found themselves in an awkward spotlight as President Donald Trump and Tesla Chairman Elon Musk clash.

According to major U.S. media outlets such as CNN on June 8, Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, and his wife met at the White House during Trump's first term in 2018, began dating, and held their wedding at the Trump Hotel in Washington DC in February 2020. President Trump also attended the wedding as a guest.

On May 30, 2025, Katie Miller (center top), Senior Advisor to the President and Chief Communications Officer of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), attended a press conference held by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the White House in Washington DC. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Stephen Miller serves as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, assisting President Trump. His wife, Katie Miller, worked as spokesperson for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was led by Elon Musk until recently. She resigned to work for Musk after he stepped down from his government position.

In late May and early June, Katie traveled to Texas to manage media interviews related to the launch of SpaceX's Starship spacecraft by Musk.

At the time of Katie Miller's resignation, rumors of conflict between the couple surfaced. On June 5, as Musk and Trump exchanged harsh insults and ridicule, speculation about tensions between the Millers intensified. This was fueled by reports that Musk had unfollowed Stephen Miller and other conservative leaders. However, as of June 6, both Stephen and Katie Miller had not unfollowed Musk's X account.

Among the threats Musk directed at Trump was a call for Trump's impeachment and for Vice President JD Vance to become president.

Katie previously served as communications director and press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence during the first Trump administration.

Donald Trump, President of the United States (left), and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla (right). AFP Yonhap News

CNN reported that in Trump's Washington, the highest standard for personnel is "loyalty," and as a result, there is much gossip and speculation about the political fate of the Miller couple. One individual with experience working closely with Trump said, "Everyone is talking about (the political fate of the Millers)."

A former Trump administration official who worked with Katie told CNN that Katie will eventually have to make a choice.

He said, "She can choose either Elon (Musk) or Trump, but not both." A senior White House official told CNN, "All of this will only make things more complicated," adding, "It is not good for Stephen that Katie is being paid by Elon."

Another senior White House official said, "Trump trusts and relies on Stephen more than anyone except Susie," and explained that among Trump and the most powerful figures in the White House, it is understood that Katie working under Musk is considered separate from her husband's position.

Meanwhile, there is a couple who divorced because of Trump. Kellyanne Conway, Trump's former campaign manager, and her husband, conservative attorney George Conway, divorced in 2023 after 22 years of marriage. Unlike Kellyanne, George was staunchly opposed to Trump.

In November 2018, as George Conway began to actively criticize Trump, he explained his reason for never taking a position in the Trump administration by saying, "It was like a dumpster fire."