Elon Musk and Donald Trump, who have been engaged in a public feud, have shown signs of potential reconciliation after Musk responded to a clip of Trump wishing him well with a heart emoji. The gesture comes as the two figures’ relationship appears to be softening after a period of public conflict, with Musk also re-posting VP JD Vance’s comments on the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles and referencing Trump’s handling of the situation. The tension between the two has been exacerbated by Trump’s criticism of Musk’s recent actions, including his criticism of the bill and claims about the EV incentives, leading to a heated exchange on social media.
President Trump’s relationship with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, which appeared to publicly blow up last week as the two feuded in public, took a softer tone on Monday when Musk responded to a clip of the president on X. The clip, posted by conservative influencer ALX, stated, ‘We had a great relationship and I wish him well — very well, actually.’ Musk’s heart emoji response to this clip was interpreted by many as a sign of possible reconciliation between the two figures.
Musk’s re-posting of JD Vance’s comments on the Los Angeles riots further suggests a degree of alignment with Trump’s position on the matter. Vance’s post emphasized the need for decisive leadership and the president’s stance on not tolerating rioting and violence.
Despite these gestures, tensions between Musk and Trump remain high, particularly over Musk’s criticisms of the bill and Trump’s assertions about the EV incentives. Trump claimed that Musk knew what was in the bill and ‘had no problem’ with it until the EV incentives had to be cut, a claim Musk called ‘false.’ The tension was further exacerbated by Trump’s public criticism of Musk, including his appointment to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his stance on the issue of cutting $2 trillion.
Musk’s comments on X also touched on his own perceived character assassination, suggesting that he was ‘outraged’ by the extent of it. He also made a self-deprecating joke about the situation, which was widely interpreted as a veiled reference to the fallout with Trump.
Trump, on the other hand, remained uninterested in pursuing a dialogue with Musk, calling him ‘totally lost it.’ He also dismissed Musk’s suggestion to form a new political party, citing favorable polls and strong support from Republicans on Capitol Hill. Despite the potential for resolution, the relationship between Musk and Trump remains a complex and evolving dynamic, shaped by a mix of public statements, social media interactions, and political maneuvering.