President Donald Trump says he still holds a favorable view of Elon Musk despite the high-profile fallout that followed their clash over the sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, the president was asked whether Musk had been welcomed back into his inner circle. Trump kept his response brief but pointed, saying, “I like Elon a lot,” a remark that immediately drew attention for its conciliatory tone.
The relationship between the two fractured earlier this year when Musk publicly condemned the administration’s marquee legislative package, calling it reckless and unsustainable. His criticism led to a sharp break — Musk stepped back from his informal advisory role and both sides began trading public jabs.
Even so, Trump acknowledged that Musk had been a strong supporter during the 2024 campaign and suggested that disagreements over policy do not erase their past collaboration. His comments indicate that, at least from Trump’s side, the door to repairing the relationship remains open.
Whether this signals a true thaw or simply a temporary easing of tensions remains unclear. Washington insiders are watching closely to see if the two influential figures edge back toward cooperation or continue charting their separate paths.