Even inside the White House, not every guest is welcome.
A new book claims First Lady Melania Trump strongly opposed one of the most surprising overnight visitors of President Donald Trump’s second administration: billionaire Elon Musk.
According to the authors of a new behind-the-scenes account of life inside the Trump White House, Musk was invited to spend several nights at the executive residence while working closely with the administration. President Trump reportedly approved the arrangement, but Melania Trump was said to be far less enthusiastic.
The revelation is one of many featured in Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, a book by reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan that offers a rare look at private moments inside the White House.
The authors claim Musk asked President Trump whether he could stay at the White House during his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE.
Trump reportedly agreed.
Melania reportedly objected.
Despite her concerns, Musk was ultimately allowed to stay and spent several nights in the historic Lincoln Bedroom, one of the most famous rooms in the White House.
The episode reportedly became a source of tension behind the scenes and highlights the unique relationship that once existed between Trump and the world’s richest man.
According to the book, Musk occasionally stayed elsewhere with friends but also told associates that he sometimes slept in a sleeping bag inside his government office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Musk later publicly confirmed staying at the White House on multiple occasions.
“Sometimes I stay at the White House,” Musk told reporters, adding that it happened more than once.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said the invitation came directly from President Trump while they were traveling aboard Air Force One.
According to Musk, Trump asked where he planned to stay. When Musk said he had not made arrangements, the president personally invited him to spend the night at the White House and even gave him a tour of the Lincoln Bedroom.
“The president and I are good friends,” Musk said. “He’ll say, ‘Do you want to stay over?’ and I’ll say, ‘Sure.'”
Musk insisted he never asked for special treatment.
“I didn’t request it,” he said.
The billionaire entrepreneur also described Trump as a generous host, recalling late-night calls from the president encouraging him to visit the White House kitchen.
One story stood out.
Musk joked that he once ate an entire container of caramel Häagen-Dazs ice cream during one of his stays at the White House.
“He’s really an excellent host,” Musk remarked.
At the time, Trump and Musk appeared nearly inseparable as they worked together on government reform efforts.
But the friendship would not last.
Musk stepped down from his DOGE role in May and later engaged in a highly publicized feud with President Trump. The two clashed over multiple issues, including government transparency and the handling of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Whether every claim in the new book proves accurate remains to be seen. However, the account offers a fascinating glimpse into the personal dynamics inside the Trump White House—and reveals that even Elon Musk may have faced resistance from the First Lady herself.