Trump says Elon Musk is ‘a friend of mine again’ after bitter 2025 feud

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said Tesla chief Elon Musk is “a friend of mine again” despite their explosive public feud last year.

The remark marked one of Trump’s warmest public comments about Musk since their relationship unraveled over disagreements about government spending and electric vehicle policies.

Trump says Elon Musk is a friend of mine again

Speaking during an agriculture roundtable, Trump acknowledged Musk’s past criticism while suggesting the two have moved beyond their dispute.

“And you know, look, Elon, he had a bad moment,” Trump said. “But now he’s a friend of mine again.”

Trump added that Musk was “80% brilliant” but said “20% he’s got little bad moments”.

The president’s comments reflected a notable shift from the hostility that dominated their relationship during a dramatic public clash in 2025.

Even while praising Musk, Trump mixed compliments with criticism.

“He had a very bad moment,” Trump said before adding, “and I call him the dummy.”

Trump revisits electric vehicle dispute

A major source of tension between the two men was Trump’s opposition to policies encouraging electric vehicle adoption.

During the roundtable, Trump returned to that issue while discussing Musk’s frustrations.

Trump said there had been an “insane electrical electric vehicle mandate” and argued that proposals would have pushed farmers toward electric equipment.

“They wanted your tractors to be all electric, they wanted your cars to be all electric,” Trump said.

At the same time, Trump emphasized that his opposition was not directed at electric vehicles themselves.

“I love electric cars,” he said. “But you know what, not everybody wants them.”

Those comments echoed arguments Trump made during his falling-out with Musk, when he accused the Tesla chief of being upset about changes affecting electric vehicle incentives.

Feud gives way to a softer tone

The latest remarks contrast sharply with the bitter exchanges that erupted after Musk left the administration in May 2025.

At the time, Musk publicly attacked Trump’s spending legislation, calling it a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled” bill and a “disgusting abomination.” He later urged Americans to pressure lawmakers to oppose it.

Trump responded by saying he was “very disappointed in Elon” and claimed the billionaire had “went CRAZY” after learning about changes affecting electric vehicle policies.

The feud quickly escalated as both men traded accusations across social media and in public appearances.

Yet Trump’s latest comments suggest a cooling of tensions. Rather than revisiting the personal attacks that defined their split, he described Musk as someone who remains exceptionally talented despite occasional disagreements.