US President Donald Trump, who had recently made headlines for threatening to relocate his red Tesla from the White House amid a public spat with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, shifted tone on Thursday by offering praise for the electric car brand.
“I like Tesla,” Trump said during a White House event focused on California’s electric vehicle regulations. His remarks came just a day after Musk appeared to ease his criticism of the Republican leader.
Background: From alliance to rift
Elon Musk and Donald Trump, once allies, have recently engaged in a very public and intense conflict primarily centered around Trump’s extensive tax and domestic policy legislation. The feud escalated in early June 2025 when Musk criticised Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” as a “disgusting abomination,” surprising many Republican leaders and sparking a heated exchange on social media.
The conflict worsened when Musk shared old remarks from Trump and other Republicans expressing concern about government spending and the national deficit, further straining their relationship. Trump responded by threatening to cancel government contracts with Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, which rely heavily on federal government business.
Public feud and escalation
The dispute also involved personal attacks, with Musk even alleging, without evidence, that Trump appears in government documents related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, a claim the White House declined to comment on.
This fallout marked the end of a surprisingly long alliance between the two, which had included Musk serving as an unpaid presidential adviser and leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Trump’s administration[5]. Musk had been a major political donor to Trump, contributing nearly $300 million in 2024 and frequently appearing with him in the White House.
Following the peak of their feud, Musk expressed regret over some of his posts about Trump, admitting they “went too far,” and began removing critical posts, including one supporting Trump’s impeachment. Although Trump initially declared their relationship over, he later said he would not mind if Musk reached out to extend best wishes. Sources suggest Musk’s frustration has diminished, indicating a possible interest in mending ties.
The stakes in this conflict are significant: for Trump, Musk’s political funding ahead of the 2026 midterms; for Musk, billions in government contracts and subsidies for his companies.