Trump downplays Elon Musk reunion at Charlie Kirk memorial
President says meeting was casual, not a reconciliation amid lingering tensions over policy and politics
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Sunday downplayed talk of a thaw with Elon Musk after the two were seen chatting during Charlie Kirk's memorial in Glendale, Arizona. The sighting followed a public feud between the two men over policy and political ambitions, including Musk's criticisms of administration priorities and Trump's campaign. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying the moment did not represent a reconciliation.
"Well, Elon came over and said hello. And, no, it's nothing to do with that," Trump said. He added: "I thought it was nice. You know, he came over, we had a little conversation. We had a very good relationship. But it was nice that he came." Footage of their interaction showed Trump spending more time speaking with UFC boss Dana White on his left as Musk looked on. Musk slid into an empty seat next to Trump moments before the handshake, according to The New York Times.
The encounter came as Musk's exit from the White House last June loomed over the occasion. Musk and Trump have clashed publicly over policy, including the so-called Big Beautiful Bill that Musk said would balloon the national debt and the White House's approach to electric-vehicle mandates that could benefit Musk's company, Tesla. Musk also attacked the president on social media by implying he was tied to the Epstein files and claimed Trump would have lost the election without him. He has also threatened to start a new, third political party, a notion Trump dismissed as 'crazy,' according to interviews and public posts.
The billionaire's influence extended into Trump's 2024 campaign, where he spent more than $290 million to help re-elect the former president. He was named a special adviser to the president in January, overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk stepped down as head of DOGE in May.
The moment underscores ongoing questions about whether the two volatile figures have truly closed the gap, as Musk continues to loom large in Republican politics and in the broader debate over technology, policy, and the 2024-25 political landscape.