WATCH: Trump Drops Telling Line About Elon Musk After Months-Lengthy Feud
President Donald Trump offered a brief but notable update Tuesday on his relationship with Elon Musk, signaling the door remains open between the two influential figures despite their public split earlier this year.
During an exchange at the close of the administration’s monthly Cabinet meeting, reporter Edward Lawrence asked whether Musk was “back in [his] circle of friends” following their falling-out over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the sweeping legislative package that Musk sharply criticized and Trump aggressively defended.
Trump, leaning back in his chair, gave a measured answer.
“Well, I really don’t know,” he said. “I mean, I like Elon a lot.”
The president went on to praise Musk’s 2024 campaign endorsement, calling it “strong” and “important,” while acknowledging that their disagreement over electric-vehicle policy created real tension. Musk publicly objected to provisions in the bill that would phase out certain EV incentives and redirect funding toward domestic manufacturing requirements — a stance Trump said he “respected” even if he “totally disagreed.”
WATCH:
BREAKING: President Trump confirms he and Elon Musk are on good terms again.
“I like Elon a lot. He really helped during the elections with his endorsement. I think we get along well.” pic.twitter.com/2GhJXPCrFa
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) December 2, 2025
Trump did not say whether the two have spoken recently, but his remarks suggest the relationship is not fully ruptured. As he left the room, he repeated the line that caught reporters’ attention: “I like Elon.”
The comment comes as the administration prepares its next push on manufacturing and energy reforms, with aides signaling that further negotiations with industry leaders — including Musk — remain possible.
Musk had been working with the administration on its Department of Government Efficiency initiative, but he grew increasingly frustrated with the bill’s spending framework. His criticism escalated into open hostility when he floated the idea of starting a separate “America Party” to challenge Republicans who backed the legislation. That threat pushed the feud into full public view.
Trump didn’t hold back. He suggested his administration could reevaluate federal support for Musk’s companies and even tossed out the idea of deporting him.
Musk fired back online, accusing the president of “ingratitude” and insisting Trump would not have won in 2024 without his help. He also posted accusations about Trump’s supposed ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a move that drew massive media attention.
Trump later told reporters Musk had “lost his mind,” signaling at the time that their communication had come to a halt.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, there was a brief cooling-off period. Musk expressed regret for some of his posts, and both men appeared at the same memorial service months later, where they publicly shook hands. According to aides, the moment was meant to signal that the feud had been put aside.