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New York Post
13 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Elon Musk rips Trump personnel director Sergio Gor as ‘a snake'
WASHINGTON — Elon Musk ripped President Trump's personnel director Sergio Gor as 'a snake' following The Post's report that Gor failed to submit himself to a standard background check despite serving as the administration's top vetter of political appointees. 'He's a snake,' the former Department of Government Efficiency leader tweeted late Wednesday. Gor, 38, allegedly played a major role in causing Trump's intense falling-out with Musk, 53, this month by convincing the president to yank the nomination of the SpaceX CEO's personal friend Jared Isaacman to lead NASA shortly before the Senate was due to confirm him. 6 Elon Musk tore into President Trump's top personnel official as a 'snake' Wednesday. Francis Chung/POOL via CNP/ Musk and Trump have taken steps to walk back a stunning bout of insults that peaked June 5 when the billionaire endorsed Trump's impeachment and the president threatened to cancel 'Billions and Billions of dollars' of federal contracts for Musk's companies. Gor's role in the saga outraged some of Trump's key advisers who viewed him as allowing personal grievances to put at risk the president's political agenda. 6 Personnel director Sergio Gor allegedly helped cause Musk's rift with Trump this month. Facebook/Sergio Gor Musk was Trump's top financial donor in last year's election, pouring more than $250 million into the campaign. Isaacman's nomination was one of the few that Musk intensely cared about, sources said, and the revocation turned Musk's tepid criticism of a bill packed with Trump's campaign promises — including to cut taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security — into outspoken calls to 'kill' the legislation, backed by a call to unseat those who vote in favor. 6 Gor convinced Trump to pull the nomination of Musk's friend Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, purportedly over his donations to Democrats. REUTERS Gor, tasked with recruiting and vetting more than 4,000 executive-branch appointees, said Isaacman was pulled over his donations to Democrats and that Trump made the final decision. A number of prominent former Democrats serve in Trump's administration, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health and human services secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. 6 Trump and Musk bitterly fought this month before quietly walking back insults. The presidential personnel chief, meanwhile, did not submit his Standard Form 86, or SF-86, to begin a standard security clearance background check — despite virtually all other White House aides doing so. The form is typically submitted before officials begin work. Gor, who has an interim security clearance, has now 'completed' the more than 100-page questionaire for a permanent clearance, the White House says, though it's unclear when he intends to submit it. 6 Musk was a constant presence alongside Trump during the president's first few months back in power. Getty Images 6 Musk led Trump's efforts to pare down the size of the federal government. AFP via Getty Images The form requires security-clearance applicants to list their birthplace and foreign connections. Gor has described himself as from Malta, but the Maltese government confirmed to The Post he was not born there. The powerful aide, who says he immigrated to the US at age 12, declined to identify his birthplace, other than to say it was not Russia. Gor did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment on Musk's tweet.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk slams presidential insider Sergio Gor as ‘Snake' behind Trump fallout
Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly criticised Sergio Gor , a top White House official , who might have led to causing the drift between Musk and US president Donald Trump, as per a report. NASA Nomination Drama Sparks Feud According to Daily Beast, even though tensions between Musk and Trump had already been mounting before Musk left the White House, but things took a sharp turn after Gor, who is the director of the presidential personnel office, reportedly urged Trump to withdraw the nomination of Jared Isaacman, Musk's close friend, to lead NASA. This move came just days before the Senate was set to vote on Isaacman's appointment, as per Daily Beast. ALSO READ: Pete Hegseth trusts 'The Gorilla' without question — is this the man behind a possible Iran strike? Elon Musk Lashes Out on X Musk took to his social media platform X late Wednesday to call Gor 'a snake,' reacting to a New York Post report revealing that despite Gor overseeing the vetting of thousands of White House staffers, he himself has not been fully vetted, according to the report. He's a snake — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2025 Live Events Unvetted Vetting Chief? Despite Gor being in the position for five months into the second Trump administration, he has not even submitted his Standard Form 86, the 100-page background investigation form required for a security clearance, reported Daily Beast. As per the New York Post report, Gor's office assesses candidates for approximately 4,000 political appointees and also handles security clearances and conflicts of interest. White House Pushes Back However, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has accused the New York Post's report of 'engaging in baseless gossip,' quoted Daily Beast. While, previously, the White House Communications Director Steven Cheung has described Gor as 'a vital member of the team' and said he has 'helped President Trump put together an administration that is second to none,' as quoted in the report. FAQs What role does Sergio Gor play in the White House? Gor is the director of the presidential personnel office, overseeing vetting for thousands of political appointees. What happened to Elon Musk's role in the White House? His special government employee status expired, effectively ending his formal involvement in the administration.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Powerful Trump aide who's in charge of vetting thousands of staffers still hasn't been fully vetted himself: sources
Sergio Gor — the director of presidential personnel who recently convinced President Trump to yank an Elon Musk-endorsed nominee for NASA — has yet to submit official paperwork about his own background needed for a permanent security clearance, according to multiple sources. Gor, 38, is in charge of picking about 4,000 executive-branch staff to implement Trump's agenda — and he's done so by poring over old tweets, political donations and remarks to ensure loyalty to the president. 5 But three administration insiders told The Post that the vetter-in-chief has not turned in his Standard Form 86, or SF-86 — a more than 100-page set of questions required for officials who need security clearances. Among the questions applicants must answer under threat of criminal penalties is where they were born and whether they have any foreign connections. Gor claims to be from the island country of Malta, though an official there could not confirm his birthplace when provided his exact birthday, saying: 'No acts are registered with the provided details.' Gor declined to divulge his birthplace to The Post, other than to say it was not Russia. Sources describe Gor's failure to submit the SF-86 as of the time of The Post's inquiries as rare, if not unique, among White House aides. He currently has an interim security clearance, as do some other Trump officials who are awaiting the completion of background checks. An SF-86 'is the first step in receiving a security clearance. Everyone — EVERYONE — fills one out, even if they're not going into a role that will ultimately need an activated clearance [such as] random comms people, administrative staff [and] legislative affairs,' a fourth source said. 5 'It seemed like a 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks'-type situation. Like why are you going so crazy about not wanting to fill this out?' Gor strongly opposed use of the SF-86 during the presidential transition, claiming he was concerned about the 'deep state' weeding out Trump's picks. 'He was actively working to convince everyone, including the lawyers, that the SF-86 was unnecessary and that Trump could just provide everyone with a clearance through his executive authority,' the fourth source said. 'He basically argued that the 'deep state' could corrupt the clearance process by weaponizing the SF-86 and background check investigations.' 5 The time-consuming form, which kicks off a review involving the FBI and Defense Department, is typically submitted by everyone who works in the White House, but rare exceptions can be made with presidential approval. The form includes questions on place of birth and all former places lived, foreign contacts and family members, foreign funding, drug use and more. Trump administration and White House officials canvassed by The Post as part of its investigation said they would have gladly skipped over the lengthy process, but that virtually everyone they know submitted the paperwork, which usually is done before starting work. The White House told The Post that Gor has 'completed the form' but would not say when he intends to submit it. 'Sergio was distrustful of the FBI, as were many others in the administration. However, to date, he has completed the form and he has an active security clearance,' said a White House official, referring to Gor's interim security clearance. 5 White House counsel David Warrington added: 'Mr. Gor is fully compliant with all applicable ethical and legal obligations. His security clearance is active, any insinuation he doesn't maintain a clearance is false.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'Sergio Gor is a trusted adviser to President Trump and he has played a critical role in helping President Trump staff the most talented administration in history. It's sad the New York Post is engaging in baseless gossip rather than focusing on how the Trump administration is tackling the issues impacting our country and world.' Gor's rising star: 'He's done a great job' Gor's wide-ranging vetting role spans from picking ambassadors to staffers who will implement Trump's policies in every major federal agency, which sources said increases the need for trustworthy leadership. 'The PPO office controls every single political appointee in the government — anyone you hire, the buck starts and stops there,' said one source. 'It's quite a bit of power.' 5 Previously obscure, Gor burst into the national spotlight this month as he took the blame for Trump's explosive falling-out with Musk. Gor convinced the president to nix the Tesla founder's pick to lead NASA, Jared Isaacman, over donations to Democrats — after allegedly nursing a personal grudge and speaking of payback against Musk for 'humiliating' him at a cabinet meeting over his pace of hiring. The aide denied seeking revenge against Musk, saying 'those who actively supported Democrats in the last cycle have no place in this administration.' Gor's swift ascent from working as an aide to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during Trump's first term to occupying one of the most important roles in American politics has drawn admirers who view him as an effective enforcer of loyalty to Trump. 'Sergio has one of the toughest jobs in the administration,' one supporter said. 'He has to say 'no' to a lot of people, including a lot of cabinet officials [and] a lot of times he's telling people, 'No, you can't hire this person' for their own good.' … He has to say 'no' to a lot of officials who aren't used to hearing the letters N and O put together.' Gor rapidly rose in prominence — and wealth — in 2021 when he co-founded with Donald Trump Jr. a book publishing company, which printed a coffee table book of official snaps of the former and future president. He quickly earned enough to afford a seven-bedroom, lagoon-front mansion just north of Palm Beach in 2022 — a short drive from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. 'Sergio has been nothing but kind, engaging and friendly in the 15 years that I've known him,' said Matt Wolking, a Trump 2020 campaign aide. 'He's a patriot who loves America and believes in President Trump's agenda. With such an important role in staffing the administration, he's no doubt had to disappoint various people who wanted a certain position, but their whining is just that — sour grapes.' Vice President JD Vance hailed Gor for doing a 'great job.' 'Sergio has led the effort to ensure committed, principled America First advocates staff the president's government,' he said. 'He's done a great job, and will continue to do so.' 'Mr. Malta' boasted of island heritage Nearly a dozen American officials who have worked with Gor both at the White House and his prior role as a Senate aide say he spoke so often about being Maltese that it was central to his identity. None of his former or current associates said they ever heard him mention any other national origin. 'He talked about it all the time. It was all like he was Mr. Malta,' said a former colleague. 'He would talk about Maltese pastries and his favorite bakery in Queens.' Another said, 'Everybody knows that he is 'Maltese,'' adding that they 'don't know what the motive would be' if that wasn't the case. At age 19, he told the Long Beach Press-Telegram in 2006 that he immigrated to the US from Malta at 12 years old — in 1998 or 1999. He did not describe a prior country of residence. 'In history class, you look at all these immigrants who came with rags and accomplished so much,' Gor told the paper. 'Becoming a citizen is a step toward the great American Dream.' The White House said Gor, who used the surname Gorokhovsky in high school, attended elementary and middle school in Malta, but the dates are unclear. Ian Borg, deputy prime minister of Malta, emailed The Post: 'Sergio's early childhood was spent in Malta for nearly a decade. In fact, he attended elementary and middle school here. He's perfectly fluent in Maltese, and deeply connected to the island. We are proud to consider Sergio a product of Malta!' 'Who cares where Sergio grew up as a child?' said Charlie Kirk, a co-founder of the pro-Trump group Turning Point USA. 'For over two decades he's worked in conservative politics. His loyalty to President Donald Trump is unmatched. His success in politics is a testament to his skills and talent. He's an example of the American dream.' Some sources questioned whether a non-Maltese birthplace alone would be enough to motivate forgoing the standard background check. 'He's one of those odd characters in DC where there does seem to be something that's unknown — that there's part of the puzzle that just doesn't make sense,' said a source who has tracked Gor's career.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Sergio Gor, Trump aide who vets thousands of staffers, hasn't been fully vetted himself: sources
WASHINGTON — One of the most powerful men in the Trump administration tasked with vetting thousands of staffers hasn't been fully vetted himself, The Post has learned. Sergio Gor – the director of presidential personnel who recently convinced President Trump to yank his Elon Musk-endorsed nomination for NASA – has yet to submit official paperwork about his own background needed for a permanent security clearance, according to multiple sources. Gor, 38, is in charge of picking about 4,000 executive-branch staff to implement Trump's agenda — and he's done so by poring over old tweets, political donations and remarks to ensure loyalty to the president. Advertisement But three administration insiders told The Post that the vetter-in-chief has not turned in his Standard Form 86, or SF-86 – a more than 100-page set of questions required for officials who need security clearances. 5 White House presidential personnel director Sergio Gor (right) applauds during a March 25 meeting with US ambassadors. REUTERS Among the questions applicants must answer under threat of criminal penalties is where they were born and whether they have any foreign connections. Advertisement Gor claims to be from the island country of Malta, though an official there could not confirm his birthplace when provided his exact birthday, saying: 'No acts are registered with the provided details.' Gor declined to divulge his birthplace to The Post, other than to say it was not Russia. Sources describe Gor's failure to submit the SF-86 as of the time of The Post's inquiries as rare, if not unique, among White House aides. He currently has an interim security clearance, as do some other Trump officials who are awaiting the completion of background checks. An SF-86 'is the first step in receiving a security clearance. Everyone — EVERYONE — fills one out, even if they're not going into a role that will ultimately need an activated clearance [such as] random comms people, administrative staff [and] legislative affairs,' a fourth source said. Advertisement 5 Gor, pictured with President Trump on March 17 during a tour of the Kennedy Center, has not submitted security clearance paperwork. Getty Images 'It seemed like a 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks' type situation. Like why are you going so crazy about not wanting to fill this out?' Gor strongly opposed use of the SF-86 form during the presidential transition, claiming he was concerned about the 'deep state' weeding out Trump's picks. 'He was actively working to convince everyone, including the lawyers, that the SF-86 was unnecessary and that Trump could just provide everyone with a clearance through his executive authority,' the fourth source said. Advertisement 'He basically argued that the 'deep state' could corrupt the clearance process by weaponizing the SF-86 and background check investigations.' 5 Gor, shown speaking at a May 19 event in the White House State Dining Room, has described himself as a Maltese immigrant, but the microstate's government says he wasn't born there. Bloomberg via Getty Images The time-consuming form, which kicks off a review involving the FBI and Defense Department, is typically submitted by everyone who works in the White House, but rare exceptions can be made with presidential approval. The form includes questions on place of birth and all former places lived, foreign contacts and family members, foreign funding, drug use and more. Trump administration and White House officials canvassed by The Post as part of its investigation said they would have gladly skipped over the lengthy process, but that virtually everyone they know submitted the paperwork, which usually is done before starting work. The White House told The Post that Gor has 'completed the form' but would not say when he intends to submit it. 'Sergio was distrustful of the FBI, as were many others in the administration. However to date, he has completed the form and he has an active security clearance,' said a White House official, referring to Gor's interim security clearance. 5 Gor's decision not to submit the SF-86 forms has stoked internal unease at the White House. Getty Images Advertisement White House counsel David Warrington added: 'Mr. Gor is fully compliant with all applicable ethical and legal obligations. His security clearance is active, any insinuation he doesn't maintain a clearance is false.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'Sergio Gor is a trusted advisor to President Trump and he has played a critical role in helping President Trump staff the most talented administration in history. It's sad the New York Post is engaging in baseless gossip rather than focusing on how the Trump administration is tackling the issues impacting our country and world.' Gor's rising star: 'He's done a great job' Gor's wide-ranging vetting role spans from picking ambassadors to staffers who will implement Trump's policies in every major federal agency, which sources said increases the need for trustworthy leadership. Advertisement 'The PPO office controls every single political appointee in the government — anyone you hire, the buck starts and stops there,' said one source. 'It's quite a bit of power.' 5 Gor (left), pictured with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is in charge of picking thousands of President Trump's political appointees. Bonnie Cash/POOL via CNP/ Previously obscure, Gor burst into the national spotlight this month as he took the blame for Trump's explosive falling out with Musk. Gor convinced the president to nix the Tesla founder's pick to lead NASA, Jared Isaacman, over donations to Democrats — after allegedly nursing a personal grudge and speaking of payback against Musk for 'humiliating' him at a cabinet meeting over his pace of hiring. Advertisement The aide denied seeking revenge against Musk, saying 'those who actively supported Democrats in the last cycle have no place in this administration.' Gor's swift rise from an aide to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during Trump's first term to one of the most important roles in American politics has drawn admirers who view him as an effective enforcer of loyalty to Trump. 'Sergio has one of the toughest jobs in the administration,' one supporter said. 'He has to say 'no' to a lot of people, including a lot of cabinet officials [and] a lot of times he's telling people, 'No, you can't hire this person' for their own good.' … He has to say 'no' to a lot of officials who aren't used to hearing the letters N and O put together.' Gor rapidly rose in prominence — and wealth — in 2021 when he cofounded with Donald Trump Jr. a book publishing company, which printed a coffee table book of official snaps of the former and future president. Advertisement He quickly earned enough to afford a seven-bedroom, lagoon-front mansion just north of Palm Beach in 2022 — a short drive from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. 'Sergio has been nothing but kind, engaging and friendly in the 15 years that I've known him,' said Matt Wolking, a Trump 2020 campaign aide. 'He's a patriot who loves America and believes in President Trump's agenda. With such an important role in staffing the administration, he's no doubt had to disappoint various people who wanted a certain position, but their whining is just that — sour grapes.' Vice President JD Vance hailed Gor for doing a 'great job.' 'Sergio has led the effort to ensure committed, principled America First advocates staff the president's government,' he said. 'He's done a great job, and will continue to do so.' 'Mr. Malta' boasted of island heritage Nearly a dozen American officials who have worked with Gor both at the White House and his prior role as a Senate aide say he spoke so often about being Maltese that it was central to his identity. None of his former or current associates said they never heard him mention any other national origin. 'He talked about it all the time. It was all like he was Mr. Malta,' said a former colleague. 'He would talk about Maltese pastries and his favorite bakery in Queens.' Another said, 'Everybody knows that he is 'Maltese',' adding that they 'don't know what the motive would be' if that wasn't the case. At age 19, he told the Long Beach Press-Telegram in 2006 that he immigrated to the US from Malta at 12 years old — in 1998 or 1999. He did not describe a prior country of residence. 'In history class, you look at all these immigrants who came with rags and accomplished so much,' Gor told the paper. 'Becoming a citizen is a step toward the great American Dream.' The White House said Gor attended elementary and middle school in Malta, but the dates are unclear. Ian Borg, deputy prime minister of Malta, emailed The Post: 'Sergio's early childhood was spent in Malta for nearly a decade. In fact, he attended elementary and middle school here. He's perfectly fluent in Maltese, and deeply connected to the island. We are proud to consider Sergio a product of Malta!' 'Who cares where Sergio grew up as a child?' said Charlie Kirk, a cofounder of the pro-Trump group Turning Point USA. 'For over two decades he's worked in conservative politics. His loyalty to President Donald Trump is unmatched. His success in politics is a testament to his skills and talent. He's an example of the American dream.' Some sources questioned whether a non-Maltese birthplace alone would be enough to motivate forgoing the standard background check. 'He's one of those odd characters in DC where there does seem to be something that's unknown — that there's part of the puzzle that just doesn't make sense,' said a source who has tracked Gor's career.
