The White House has firmly denied reports that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk plan to reconcile following their highly publicized feud, marking a stunning collapse of what had once been a strategic political alliance.
Speculation that the duo would speak by phone on Friday was quashed by a senior White House official, who told AFP, “The president does not intend to speak to Musk today.” Trump himself echoed the sentiment in a phone interview with ABC, saying he was “not particularly interested” in reconnecting with Musk, whom he now describes as someone who has “lost his mind.”
The spat intensified after Musk labeled Trump’s signature budget bill an “abomination,” prompting the president to threaten to sever government contracts with Tesla and SpaceX. The fallout has seen Tesla shares fluctuate sharply and Musk vow to withdraw the Dragon spacecraft from service, a critical part of NASA’s transport program.
Sources revealed that the White House convened a crisis meeting on Thursday to assess the economic and political risks of the deteriorating relationship. Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly considering getting rid of the red Tesla he bought in support of Musk—a symbol of their now fractured alliance.
What you should know
Elon Musk is a billionaire entrepreneur and the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Born in South Africa, he became a US citizen and rose to global prominence through his work in electric vehicles, space travel, and AI.
His complex relationship with political figures, including Donald Trump, has often made headlines due to his outspoken views and influential social media presence.
