Trump and Musk Show Signs of Truce After Public Clash Over Legislation
According to a source close to the White House, aides feared the feud could distract from the administration’s policy agenda.
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk may be moving toward reconciliation after a high-profile public feud. Photo/Telegraph.
By Robert Assad
A truce may be in sight after a public feud erupted between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, two of the world’s most influential figures.
The fallout, which played out largely on social media, appeared to reach a boiling point Thursday. However, signs of de-escalation began to surface as Trump projected a tone of calm in an interview with POLITICO, and White House aides worked behind the scenes to arrange a peace call between the two.
“Oh it’s okay,” Trump said during a brief phone conversation with POLITICO, when asked about the rift with Musk, once a vocal supporter. “It’s going very well, never done better,” he said, quickly pivoting to tout his polling numbers: “The numbers are through the roof, the highest polls I’ve ever had and I have to go.”
The remarks stood in stark contrast to the earlier, more contentious exchanges between the two over Trump’s flagship legislative proposal — dubbed the “big beautiful bill” — currently before the Senate. The bill, which includes sweeping tax cuts and immigration measures, has drawn criticism from Musk, who decried its projected $2.4 trillion addition to the national deficit.
The escalating war of words concerned Trump’s advisors, who encouraged the president to dial back his attacks and focus on securing Senate support for the bill. According to a source close to the White House, aides feared the feud could distract from the administration’s policy agenda.
In response, Trump appeared to soften his tone in a Truth Social post: “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress,” he wrote, before concluding with his signature, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Calls for peace also came from high-profile allies. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I support @realDonaldTrump and @elonmusk and they should make peace for the benefit of our great country.” Musk replied succinctly, “You’re not wrong,” signaling a possible openness to reconciliation.
With a call between the two scheduled for Friday, optimism is growing that Trump and Musk may put aside their differences — at least for now — to focus on mutual political and economic interests.
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