Trump, Musk Hit Pause on Feud to Focus on Strategic Goals

President Donald Trump has downplayed the recent public feud with Elon Musk, calling it a "stupid moment" and reaffirming his personal affection for the Tesla and SpaceX CEO. Speaking aboard Air Force One during his Asia tour, Trump described Musk's earlier criticisms as a "bad spell" but emphasized that their relationship remains "good" and that he "always liked him". The comments mark a thaw in their strained dynamic, which had escalated in June 2025 over disputes involving Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and Musk's departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) .

The feud, which saw Musk accuse Trump of ties to the Jeffrey Epstein case and Trump label Musk a "train wreck," has since cooled. Musk, who recently attended a memorial event with Trump in September, has tempered his public critiques, though he continues to clash with Trump's appointees, such as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy . Trump noted that the two have "spoken on and off, a little bit" since their public rift, adding that Musk's recent actions suggest a mutual effort to reset their relationship .

The reconciliation comes as Musk faces significant challenges at Tesla, including shareholder deliberations over his controversial $1 trillion compensation package . Despite criticism from some investors and analysts, Musk's supporters argue that the package is critical to maintaining his focus on long-term innovation. Trump's endorsement of Musk, even amid their past tensions, could bolster the CEO's standing during this pivotal period for the company.

Meanwhile, Trump's Asia tour has dominated his public profile, with trade negotiations and diplomatic engagements overshadowing domestic political developments. His remarks on Musk appear to align with a broader strategy of emphasizing personal relationships amid a contentious political landscape. Trump has also hinted at ambitions beyond his current term, stating he "would love" to run for a third term in 2028, despite constitutional limitations .

The evolving Trump-Musk dynamic underscores the unpredictable nature of both figures' public personas. While Trump frames their past conflict as a minor setback, Musk's recent actions-including reduced criticism of Trump and a focus on Tesla's operational challenges-suggest a calculated shift toward de-escalation. Whether this truce translates into deeper collaboration remains unclear, but for now, both men appear to be prioritizing stability over confrontation.