Camilla Jessen
“He had a bad time,” says Trump.
President Donald Trump confirmed this week that he has reconnected with tech billionaire Elon Musk, marking a dramatic turnaround in a relationship that had recently been defined by public insults and political tension.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Japan, Trump told POLITICO that the two men had “spoken every now and then” and first reconnected at the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona last month.
“I’ve always liked Elon,” Trump said. “He had a bad time, a difficult time. But I like Elon and I guess I always will.”
The comments reflect a growing rapprochement between the former president and the owner of Platform X, after months of very public feuding.
From threats to thaw
Tensions between the two figures escalated earlier this year when Musk floated the idea of launching a third political party — dubbed the America Party — and hinted at backing candidates opposed to Trump-aligned Republicans.
Trump fired back, warning of “very serious consequences” if Musk moved forward.
At one point, the former president even suggested leveraging the Department of Government Efficiency — a now-defunct federal office Musk briefly advised — against the billionaire.
Why it matters
The renewed relationship carries potentially major implications heading into the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race.
As the owner of Platform X and a key voice in conservative media, Musk holds outsized influence.
He also remains a high-profile donor, with the capacity to shape political narratives, fund campaigns, and elevate candidates across the Republican spectrum.
If Musk is now back in Trump’s orbit, it could mean consolidated support on the right — or at least fewer distractions heading into a pivotal election cycle.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
