President Donald Trump signaled a shift in his previously tense relationship with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk after mentioning him during remarks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington on Wednesday, as reported by Fox News.
The reference came one day after Musk attended a White House dinner during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit.
The public dynamic between the two had been strained since the spring, following Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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Trump and Musk exchanged pointed criticism in May and June over Trump’s tax and domestic policy package known as the “big, beautiful bill.”
At the forum on Wednesday, Trump addressed Musk directly while discussing the measure.
“You're so lucky I'm with you, Elon. I'll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?” Trump said. He continued by noting that, under the bill, a previous mandate requiring all cars to be electric by 2030 was no longer in place.
“Although I do let him buy other than electric cars, but these are minor details. You know, we had a mandate which even Elon thought was ridiculous, that everybody has to have an electric car by 2030. And once, fortunately, he said, that's a ridiculous thing.”
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Trump signed the legislation in July, which included a new tax deduction on car loan interest for purchases made between 2025 and 2028. The provision allows buyers to write off up to $10,000 per year in interest on certain loans for brand-new vehicles.
After Trump’s remarks, Musk posted on X, “I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world.”
The disagreements earlier in the year centered on Musk’s criticism of the bill amid reports it could increase the federal deficit. Trump argued Musk’s frustration stemmed from the removal of an electric vehicle tax credit used by automakers such as Tesla.
By May and June, the back-and-forth had escalated, with Musk asserting that Trump would not have won the 2024 election without his support.
Trump responded by saying Musk had gone “CRAZY” over the changes to electric vehicle credits and that the CEO had been “wearing thin.”
The relationship appeared to ease later in the year. The two were seen together in September at the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona.
Musk then attended a White House dinner on Tuesday, where Apple CEO Tim Cook and Dell CEO Michael Dell were also present.
Fox News Digital reported that both the White House and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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It was a ruse. The media fueled it and the brainless masses believed it. Just like always.
But Musk’s public pronouncements against that bill were absolutely right