Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and former advisor to US President Donald Trump, expressed regret on Wednesday over his recent public criticism of the American leader, signaling a potential thaw in their highly publicized dispute.
“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” Musk wrote on his social media platform X. The post quickly gained the approval of the White House, offering a sign of easing tensions after a week of escalating rhetoric between the two powerful figures.
Musk’s message came just days after Trump issued a warning, threatening the tech billionaire with “serious consequences” if he pursued efforts to fund primary challenges against Republicans supporting a controversial spending bill. The proposed legislation, which Trump has championed, became the flashpoint that fractured their alliance.
Their falling-out unfolded across social media in real time, captivating political observers and sparking debates within Washington and Silicon Valley. Musk, a major Republican donor during the last election, had openly criticized the spending proposal, calling it an “abomination” that could shape Trump’s potential second term.
Some Republican lawmakers critical of the bill encouraged Musk to leverage his influence and financial clout to challenge colleagues who sided with Trump. That call to action intensified the feud, leading Trump to brand Musk as “disrespectful” during a televised interview and to threaten an end to lucrative government contracts for Musk’s companies.
Despite the heated exchanges, recent developments suggest efforts to de-escalate the situation. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump was “appreciative” of Musk’s public apology, adding that no actions had been taken on Trump’s earlier threat regarding Musk’s government contracts.
Reports from the New York Times revealed that Musk’s social media post was preceded by a late-night phone call with Trump. The conversation reportedly followed behind-the-scenes efforts by Vice President JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susan Wiles to mediate between the two influential figures.
In his statement on X, Musk did not elaborate on which remarks specifically crossed the line. However, the backdrop of their disagreement showed a rapid deterioration of what was once a strategic partnership.
Only weeks ago, Musk’s departure from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, a post informally dubbed “DOGE,” appeared to close on friendly terms. Trump had even praised Musk at the time, fueling expectations that their political alliance would remain intact.
That goodwill unraveled as Musk sharpened his criticism of Trump’s fiscal policies, prompting Trump to unleash a scathing response from the Oval Office. The tension escalated further when Musk suggested connections between Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, a post he later deleted.
With political stakes high, both parties seemed eager to pull back from a prolonged conflict. By Friday, Trump softened his tone, telling reporters, “I just wish him well,” while Musk offered a similarly brief olive branch, replying, “Likewise.”
As the dust settles, questions remain about whether this uneasy truce will hold, or if the rift between two of America’s most powerful figures is only temporarily patched.