Elon Musk is working on damage control following a public fallout with former President Donald Trump. Just days after their relationship soured, Musk took to social media to express regret for his recent posts about Trump. In a tweet early Wednesday, he admitted that some of his comments had "gone too far."
The tension between Musk and Trump escalated after Musk criticized the president’s domestic policy bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination." This criticism came after Musk’s brief tenure as a special government employee, where he faced various challenges and legal issues. His departure from the government was officially announced at a press conference on May 30, where Trump praised him as a significant business leader.
In the aftermath of their fallout, Trump has been active on social media but has not directly addressed Musk’s apology. However, in a podcast interview, Trump stated he held "no hard feelings" toward Musk, though he expressed disappointment in their relationship. He remarked that he had not thought much about Musk lately and suggested he could forgive him. Yet, Trump also indicated he was busy with other matters and had no intention of reaching out to Musk.
Musk’s public criticisms of Trump included accusations that the Justice Department was withholding files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump denied. The White House responded to Musk’s claims, describing the situation as unfortunate and suggesting Musk’s opposition to Trump’s policies stemmed from not getting his way.
Despite the tension, Trump has said he does not plan to cut off Musk’s Starlink service, which is installed at the White House. He noted that he wished Musk well and seemed to soften his stance, even responding positively to Musk’s heart emoji on social media.
The two had previously enjoyed a close relationship, with Musk backing Trump’s re-election campaign and even taking on a role in his administration. However, their alliance has now faded, marked by a series of public disagreements and criticisms. As both figures navigate this fallout, their future interactions remain uncertain.