One of Trump's key associates came into conflict with Musk

The chief of staff of the US White House, Susie Wiles, whom President Donald Trump called an "ice maiden," opposed the opening of the headquarters of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the West Wing of the White House, writes The Times.

Elon Musk, who will lead the department, wanted his office to be located a few meters from the Oval Office. Instead, the DOGE team will be based in the Eisenhower Administrative Office Building, which is located on the White House grounds, within walking distance of the main complex.

According to the publication, Wiles made it clear that there is no place in the West Wing for someone "who cannot be counted on in terms of cooperation and focus on our common goals." She warned that she does not welcome "people who want to work alone or be a star."

The chief of staff wants to stop talking about Musk as a "co-president" or "real vice president" instead of J.D. Vance, given the entrepreneur's tendency to hit the headlines and promote his own agenda.

Musk discussed with officials from the transition team what his level of access to the West Wing would be, but the issue remained unclear, The New York Times wrote. A special pass is required for free passage there.

Trump announced the creation of a new department in November 2024. The tasks of the department will include "the elimination of government bureaucracy, the abolition of excessive regulations, the reduction of wasteful spending and the restructuring of federal agencies." Initially, it was assumed that together with Musk, DOGE would be headed by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, but the latter changed his mind due to disagreements with the head of Tesla and SpaceX. He will run for governor of Ohio in November 2026.

Suzie Wiles is the first woman to serve as White House chief of Staff. She has been working with Trump since the beginning of his political career, the Times notes. Wiles led the Republican's campaign in Florida in 2016, where he won, and in 2021, after his supporters stormed the Capitol, she headed Trump's Save America fundraising committee. In November 2022, Wiles took up the politician's re-election campaign.

CNN called Wiles an "underrated but formidable force" and a strategist who is better known for confidential decisions rather than public gestures.

"Susie likes to stay in the shadows," Trump said about her.

According to the channel, before agreeing to become the White House chief of staff, Wiles asked Trump for guarantees that she would have more authority to control access to the Oval Office than her predecessors.