Donald Trump’s bitter feud with Elon Musk captured headlines last week, with the president attacking the his former friend, bringing up his drug use and his company’s longtime reliance on federal subsidies. A little ironic, isn’t it? In hindsight, it was so predictable if not inevitable.
Speaking of inevitability…Trump vs. Musk is likely just the beginning. It’s only a matter of time before the president picks another high-profile fight, as he continues to navigate legal battles, controversial trade polics, political setbacks, and a volatile administration.
Here are the next 10 figures most likely to find themselves in Trump’s crosshairs.
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Newsom, who, according to prediction markets, is the current favorite to be the 2028 Democratic nominee, is very clearly Trump’s top blue-state adversary. Over the weekend, he blasted Trump’s deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles, comparing it to “dictatorial overreach,” and even floated the idea of withholding billions in federal taxes. Meanwhile, Trump gave the governor a new nickname, “Gavin Newscum.”
Of course, this isn’t exactly a bold call, as the feud has already somewhat begun. Now let’s make some predictions as to which Republicans, including current Cabinet members and his own judicial appointees, that he could clash with next. After all, if Elon wasn’t safe, then no one is.
Supreme Court Justices (SCOTUS)
Though Trump appointed three justices to the Supreme Court, he’s never been shy about attacking them when rulings don’t go his way. Amy Coney Barrett, in particular, has already sided against Trump on key cases. If SCOTUS rules against Trump on key issues like immigration and executive power, expect him to unleash. He already called out The Federalist Society in recent weeks.
Rand Paul, Kentucky Senator
Paul has become one of the biggest Republican thorns in Trump’s side. He’s challenged Trump’s tariff policies, opposed massive federal spending increases, and remains a vocal skeptic of foreign military intervention. Trump may largely write off dissent from Democrats—but from libertarian-minded GOP senators? Not so much.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
Trump once loved Hegseth’s tough-guy image, but tensions could be building as the Defense Department faces controversy after controversy under Hegseth’s leadership. Will President Trump’s patience eventually grow thin? Prediction markets think so.
Kalshi, a federally regulated prediction market exchange, gives Hegseth a 28% of being the firs Cabinet member to leave the administration. If they right, it presumably won’t be by his own accord. It’s no secret that “You’re fired” is Trump’s favorite phrase.
Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Senator
A longtime Trump ally, Johnson has recently broken ranks on budget negotiations. If Johnson continues sounding the alarm, he could go from inner circle to outer darkness quickly.
Andrew Cuomo, NYC Mayor Candidate
Cuomo has resurfaced in politics with a bid for New York City mayo, all while he’s under a criminal probe from the Trump administration. rump feuds best with familiar faces—and Cuomo is a prime candidate for a round-two showdown.
Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation
Duffy is one of the more eccentric figures in Trump’s cabinet, often clashing with career staffers and running the department with what critics call “cable news flair.” Trump has praised Duffy’s energy, but any more high-profile infrastructure failures or media embarrassment could make him a convenient scapegoat.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services
RFK Jr. now serves as President Trump’s Health Secretary, appointed in February 2025 after Senate confirmation. He heads the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission, which released a bold report in May advocating scrutiny of food additives, chemicals, vaccines, and prescription drugs—though it later drew scrutiny for including fabricated citations…yikes.
Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury
Trump brought in Bessent—a former George Soros hedge fund manager—for his economic savvy. If markets tank or tariffs backfire, Trump could quickly turn on Bessent, framing him as the “Wall Street globalist” who let him down, or vice versa, Bessent could argue his hands have been tied with Trump’s penchant for outdated, debunked protectionism.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
“Little Rubio,” as Trump once referred to him as, now holds multiple senior roles in Trump’s administration—serving as Secretary of State and Acting National Security Adviser. Rubio largely represents the more interventionist, almost neocon, wing of the Republican Party, which is at odds with others in the administration. If any of his high-pressure initiatives backfire, Rubio could become Trump’s next target for blame in another escalating intra-administration feud.
