President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were seen shaking hands at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona, marking their first public encounter since a bitter feud erupted over the president’s domestic policy and tax agenda.
The reunion comes amid ongoing political tensions between the former allies.
Just months ago, Musk openly criticised Trump’s massive spending and policy bill, warning that its passage could prompt him to form a new political party.
“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,” Musk declared on X in early July. Trump responded by threatening to use the Department of Government Efficiency, a body Musk helped establish to reduce waste, to scrutinize subsidies benefiting Musk’s companies.
The feud began in late June, escalating over several days on social media and in White House discussions. Both men had previously maintained a close relationship, with Musk serving as a key adviser in the administration and frequently appearing at official events.
Their disagreement over the agenda bill revealed the fragility of that alliance, highlighting how quickly political and personal ties can unravel.
The public spat briefly subsided after Musk deleted some of his critical posts, only to flare again as the legislation moved through Congress.
