In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk has publicly expressed regret over some of his recent social media posts concerning former President Donald Trump. Following a week of escalating tensions and public exchanges, Musk took to his platform, X, to clarify his stance. He stated, “I regret some of my posts about President [Trump] last week. They went too far.”
The fallout from Musk’s comments has been significant, marking a shift in the relationship between the tech billionaire and the former president. Just days prior, the two had engaged in a heated exchange on social media, with Musk making allegations that included endorsing calls for Trump’s impeachment and linking him to the late Jeffrey Epstein. These posts, now deleted, have stirred controversy and speculation about the future of their relationship.
Trump, for his part, has remained active on social media but has not directly responded to Musk’s apology. In a podcast interview with the New York Post, he stated he held “no hard feelings” towards Musk but admitted to feeling a bit disappointed. He emphasized that his focus is now on elevating the country to new heights, indicating that he has moved on from their previous camaraderie. “I’m too busy doing other things,” Trump remarked, suggesting he does not intend to rekindle their relationship.
Previously, Trump had criticized Musk, claiming the billionaire had been “disrespectful to the office of the president.” However, he appeared to soften his stance in recent interviews, stating he had not given further thought to threats of canceling Musk’s federal contracts or investigating his immigration status—suggestions made by Trump ally Steve Bannon.
As the situation unfolds, Musk has been quietly removing some of his more incendiary tweets, including those that criticized Trump’s economic policies and suggested that the former president’s tariffs could lead to a recession. Despite the tension, Trump confirmed he has no plans to discontinue Musk’s Starlink satellite service, which has been installed at the White House. He expressed goodwill towards Musk, stating, “We had a good relationship, and I just wish him well—very well, actually.”
The relationship between Musk and Trump has been complex and often volatile. They initially formed a close alliance in 2024 when Musk invested nearly $300 million in support of Trump’s reelection campaign. Musk later took on a role in the Trump administration, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, his tenure was marred by legal challenges and criticisms regarding the effectiveness of DOGE’s initiatives.
Musk’s departure from the government came at the end of May, after a brief but tumultuous 130 days in office. His final appearance alongside Trump in the Oval Office saw the president praising him as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced.” However, this admiration quickly turned sour as Musk began to publicly criticize Trump’s domestic policy bill, labeling it a “disgusting abomination” that would exacerbate the federal budget deficit and undermine DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts.
The back-and-forth between the two has been marked by social media sniping. Musk claimed that Trump would not have won the election without his support, while Trump suggested that cutting Musk’s federal subsidies could be an effective way to save money in the budget. Musk also made unsubstantiated allegations about Trump’s Justice Department withholding Jeffrey Epstein files, a claim Trump denied, labeling it as “old news.”
The White House has not directly commented on the feud but did issue a statement through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who characterized Musk’s behavior as an “unfortunate episode” and suggested that his opposition to Trump’s bill stemmed from disappointment over the lack of policies he favored, such as electric vehicle subsidies.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Trump has suggested that the feud with Musk may have inadvertently united the Republican Party, helping lawmakers recognize the benefits of his proposed legislation. This bill narrowly passed the House in May and is now under scrutiny in the Senate, where GOP leaders aim to push it through by July 4.
As both Musk and Trump navigate this turbulent chapter in their relationship, the implications for their respective futures remain uncertain. Will Musk’s apology mend fences, or is this the beginning of a deeper rift? Only time will tell how this dynamic will evolve in the ever-changing landscape of U.S. politics.