Signs of a potential truce are emerging in the escalating conflict between former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, as White House officials work to ease tensions between the two influential figures. The dispute centers around legislation currently in the Senate that encompasses Trump’s presidential agenda, including tax cuts and immigration enforcement.
The clash between the two billionaires has grown increasingly bitter on social media platforms, prompting White House aides and allies to intervene. In response to the situation, officials have scheduled a Friday call with Musk in an attempt to broker peace between the two parties.
When asked about the public falling out with his former supporter during a brief telephone interview with Politico, Trump maintained a casual demeanor, stating, “Oh, it’s okay. It’s going very well, never done better.” He proceeded to highlight his favorable polling numbers before concluding the conversation.
White House takes steps to defuse tension as bill hangs in the balance
Behind the scenes, White House aides have been working to persuade Trump to moderate his public criticism of Musk, fearing further escalation could jeopardize the legislation’s progress. The bill, which Trump refers to as his “big beautiful bill,” is projected to add $2.4 trillion to the deficit, a point of contention for Musk.
The intervention of prominent figures such as hedge fund manager Bill Ackman demonstrates the high stakes involved. Ackman took to X (formerly Twitter) to encourage reconciliation between the two, writing, “I support @realDonaldTrump and @elonmusk and they should make peace for the benefit of our great country.” Musk’s response, “You’re not wrong,” suggested an openness to de-escalation.
Following guidance from White House aides to focus on the legislation rather than the personal conflict, Trump’s social media presence showed signs of restraint. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote, “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago,” before shifting attention to the bill’s merits and concluding with his signature “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The White House strategy appears to be working on two fronts: maintaining focus on passing the significant legislation through the Senate while simultaneously attempting to repair the relationship with Musk, who had previously been a notable supporter of Trump. The success of these efforts could prove crucial for the administration’s legislative agenda moving forward.
Published: Jun 6, 2025 09:26 am