Trump teases Musk at forum as once-frosty dynamic seems to take a turn
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump appears to have reconciled with Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, following a period of public tension between the two. Their relationship soured earlier this year after Musk stepped down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), leading to a series of public criticisms. However, in a recent speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump made light of their past disagreements, humorously acknowledging Musk’s contributions and thanking him for his support. “You’re so lucky I’m with you, Elon. I’ll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?” Trump quipped, referencing Musk’s past criticisms of his policies, particularly the controversial mandate requiring all cars to be electric by 2030. This shift in tone marks a significant departure from their earlier exchanges, where Musk had openly criticized Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which proposed a new tax deduction for car loans but also eliminated tax credits for electric vehicles—a move that particularly affected Tesla.
The backdrop of their reconciliation includes a recent dinner at the White House attended by Musk and other tech leaders, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Dell CEO Michael Dell, during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit. This gathering signifies a potential thaw in relations not just between Trump and Musk, but also among key players in the tech industry and the current administration. Following Trump’s speech, Musk took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude, stating, “I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world.” This public acknowledgment suggests that both figures are willing to move past their previous disputes, which had reached a peak in May when Musk accused Trump of relying on his support for electoral success, while Trump labeled Musk’s reaction to the tax bill as “crazy.”
The evolving dynamics between Trump and Musk reflect broader themes of collaboration and competition within the tech industry and politics. As Trump continues to position himself for a potential 2024 presidential run, the relationship with influential figures like Musk could play a crucial role in shaping his campaign and policies. Their recent interactions indicate a willingness to set aside differences for mutual benefit, especially amid ongoing discussions about electric vehicles and economic policy. As the political landscape continues to shift, it remains to be seen how this newly rekindled alliance will impact both their futures and the industries they influence.
President
Donald Trump
may have made amends with SpaceX and Tesla CEO
Elon Musk
, after referencing the billionaire in a speech Wednesday and after Musk attended a dinner at the
White House Tuesday
evening.
While the two publicly exchanged harsh words in the spring after Musk left his post heading up the
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
, tensions appear to have simmered in the following months.
“You’re so lucky I’m with you, Elon. I’ll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?” Trump said at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday in Washington. “Although I do let him buy other than
electric cars
, but these are minor details. You know, we had a mandate which even Elon thought was ridiculous, that everybody has to have an electric car by 2030. And once, fortunately, he said, that’s a ridiculous thing.”
Trump’s comments came while discussing a portion of his massive tax and domestic policy measure known as the one “big, beautiful bill” that he signed in July, which included a new
tax deduction
on car loan interest for purchases made between 2025 and 2028 permitting car buyers the ability to write off up to $10,000 annually in interest for certain loans on brand new cars.
After Trump’s speech, Musk posted on X: “I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world.”
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Tension between Trump and Musk reached an all-time high in May after the two publicly aired their differences regarding the “big, beautiful, bill.” Musk was highly critical of the measure amid reports the measure would increase the federal deficit, while Trump Musk’s disdain for the bill was due to a provision that eliminated an
electric vehicle tax credit
that benefited companies like Tesla.
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The two hurled insults against one another in May and June, with Musk claiming that Trump wouldn’t have won
the 2024 election
without the billionaire’s support. Meanwhile, Trump accused Musk of going “CRAZY” over cuts to the electric vehicle credits, and said that Musk had been “wearing thin.”
However, the two were seen together at conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s funeral in Arizona in September.
Musk also appeared at the White House Tuesday for a dinner during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. Other tech executives who attended the dinner included Apple CEO
Tim Cook
and Dell CEO Michael Dell.
The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
