Just weeks after unleashing a storm of criticism toward former President Donald Trump, Elon Musk appears to be dialing it back. In a carefully worded statement posted to X, the billionaire entrepreneur admitted that some of his comments about Trump had “gone too far” and expressed hope for more constructive dialogue going forward.
The initial fallout began when Musk sharply rebuked Trump’s policies and accused him of blocking the release of sensitive documents tied to financier Jeffrey Epstein. One particularly charged post called Trump’s behavior “un-American” and argued that it was grounds for impeachment.
The response from Trump was swift and punishing. The former president reminded Musk of the billions SpaceX receives through federal contracts and warned that “no one is above consequences, not even Elon.” Trump’s campaign surrogates also began calling into question Tesla’s regulatory practices and hinted at future investigations.
Musk, normally defiant, surprised many by deleting some of the posts and acknowledging that his tone may have undermined the goals of transparency and justice. Speaking at a conference on tech and government cooperation in Austin, Texas, Musk said, “I believe in speaking truth to power, but I also believe in keeping dialogue open. My frustration got the better of me.”
Business analysts saw the remarks as an attempt to preserve vital relationships with the federal government. “This was a damage control move,” said Andrea Monroe, a Washington-based tech policy expert. “Musk has too much at stake to let a political feud disrupt his companies’ futures.”
Indeed, the markets responded positively. Tesla shares rebounded by 2.6%, and early concerns over the fate of SpaceX’s NASA and Department of Defense contracts began to ease.
Adding to the intrigue, Musk offered public praise for Trump’s handling of civil unrest in California. He echoed Trump’s calls for stronger policing and even shared an image of himself watching Trump’s speech with a thumbs-up emoji. The internet speculated wildly over whether this was a pivot or a public relations strategy.
Sources close to both men suggest that intermediaries have been working behind the scenes to cool tensions. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, is said to have reached out to Musk personally. “There’s a recognition that both sides benefit from cooperation,” said one anonymous source. “Trump gets credibility in the tech world, and Musk protects his business empire.”
Despite the recent volatility, both Trump and Musk have indicated they may be willing to put their differences aside. Musk’s toned-down rhetoric and Trump’s uncharacteristically cordial “I wish him well” message point to a new chapter in their relationship—one where power, politics, and profit must carefully coexist.
Musk closed his latest remarks with a statement that many see as an olive branch not just to Trump, but to the political sphere as a whole: “We have massive challenges ahead—from AI regulation to climate change. Fighting each other won’t solve them. Collaboration might.”
Whether this marks a permanent truce or a temporary ceasefire remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in the ever-intertwined worlds of politics and business, no bridge is ever fully burned.