Trump clarifies his relationship with Elon Musk after 'big beautiful bill' feud: 'I like him a lot'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump offered a surprisingly warm update on his fractured relationship with Elon Musk on Tuesday, months after the two publicly split over one of the administration’s biggest legislative battles.

The president addressed the status of the relationship during his monthly Cabinet meeting.

Trump insists he still ‘likes Elon a lot’

When FOX Business’ Edward Lawrence asked whether Musk had rejoined Trump’s inner circle, Trump didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the billionaire’s impact, even if he didn’t go so far as to declare a full reconciliation.

“Well, I really don't know. I mean, I like Elon a lot,” he said, sounding more reflective than defensive. 

He credited Musk’s role during the early months of his second term, when the Tesla and SpaceX CEO became a fixture inside the White House.

Musk briefly served as a special government employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), often sitting in on Cabinet meetings and joining Trump for events as they pushed to cut federal waste.

Trump also didn’t shy away from admitting how fast things soured. Their relationship unraveled in June when Musk publicly blasted the sweeping ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, a bill Trump had spent months rallying Republicans to pass.

Musk’s posts on X were brutal. He said the legislation would trigger the “BIGGEST DEBT ceiling increase in HISTORY,” and in a personal swipe, he added, “@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files.”

“That was really where things changed,” Trump said, acknowledging the moment the pair’s once tight alliance broke apart.

Policy disagreements over electric vehicles fueled deeper personal tension

The feud was layered. Behind the scenes, Trump had been preparing to scrap the federal electric-vehicle mandate, a move that directly touched Musk’s biggest business. Once in office, Trump followed through.

He signed three congressional resolutions to strike down California’s diesel rules and its EV sales mandates, saying the laws “will kill the California mandates forever.”

By then, Musk’s stint at DOGE had wrapped up, and their falling-out became impossible to ignore. Yet Musk didn’t completely retreat. He occasionally praised Trump’s foreign-policy decisions over the summer, including the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza.

And in September, the two were spotted sitting side by side at the memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, quietly chatting during the emotional ceremony.

Elon Musk’s return to White House adds fuel to reconciliation rumors

If the September sighting raised eyebrows, Musk’s appearance at the White House on November 18 pushed speculation even further. He attended a private dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and a room full of business giants, a setting that suggested the relationship may be quietly warming again.

Trump’s latest comments didn’t confirm anything outright, but they certainly didn’t shut the door.

Trump highlights contrasts with Biden as he hits Cabinet meeting milestone

The president’s remarks came during his ninth full Cabinet meeting, a number that now equals the total Joe Biden held in his entire four-year term.

The White House has been quick to point out that contrast as part of its broader messaging on accessibility and leadership style.