Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has issued some praise for President Donald Trump following the announcement of a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, marking a shift from his previous sharp criticism of the president’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’ Musk took to his social media platform X to commend Trump for his handling of global conflicts, acknowledging the president’s role in resolving several serious international issues. This move comes after Musk had been highly critical of Trump’s massive tax and spending package, which the Senate passed earlier in the week. The public praise was offered as a possible acknowledgment of Trump’s effectiveness in managing complex geopolitical scenarios, even as tensions between the two remain high.
Despite their recent exchange over the tax and spending bill, Musk acknowledged Trump’s ability to navigate global tensions, particularly during a time of heightened conflict in the Middle East. Musk shared a screenshot of Trump’s post on Truth Social, which announced the agreement between Israel and Gaza, highlighting the president’s efforts to manage international relations. This moment appears to have prompted Musk to momentarily suspend his public critique of Trump, at least in the context of global affairs. Musk’s remarks, however, are not without their own political implications, as he has continued to advocate for a new political party, arguing that the current system is compromised by excessive spending.
Earlier in May, Musk had been involved in a heated exchange with Trump, which began with Musk’s departure from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The two had traded barbs over Trump’s tax and spending plan, which Musk argued would increase the debt ceiling by a record $5 trillion. Despite these tensions, Musk recently retracted some of his public criticisms, opting instead to support Trump’s efforts in managing global conflicts. However, the relationship remains tenuous, with Trump suggesting that he might have to revisit Musk’s deportation status as a U.S. citizen born in South Africa.
While Trump has dismissed Musk’s criticisms of the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ arguing that Musk is unhappy with the elimination of electric vehicle tax credits, Musk has taken to social media to express his concerns over the measure. He has threatened to support challengers to Republicans who voted for the bill, further indicating the complexity of Musk’s relationship with Trump. The current dynamic between the two remains a point of interest, given Musk’s significant influence as a tech leader and Trump’s ongoing role in shaping U.S. policy. The temporary shift in Musk’s public stance may indicate a strategic move, though it is unlikely to resolve the deeper ideological and policy differences between the two figures.