U.S. president confirms he and the billionaire have been chatting again since last month, marking a revival of a key alliance.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he’s been in touch with Elon Musk, saying the two have spoken “on and off” since sitting together at conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s funeral last month in Arizona and that their relationship is “good.”
“I’ve always liked Elon,” Trump said in response to a question from POLITICO aboard Air Force One en route to Japan. “He had a bad spell. He had a bad moment. But I like Elon, and I suspect I’ll always like him.”
The comments are the latest sign of a notable thaw between two men after a summer of public feuding.
Trump and Musk clashed repeatedly, exchanging personal insults and political threats as the tech billionaire and X owner said he might back candidates to run against Republicans, and even form a political party named the “America Party.”
Trump at the time warned that Musk would face “very serious consequences” if he followed through and even suggested turning the Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk oversaw in its early days, against the billionaire.
The renewed friendliness between Trump and Musk could carry major political and financial implications heading toward elections in 2026 and 2028. As the owner of X, Musk remains one of the most influential voices in conservative media, with the potential to move races with hefty donations.