The relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has always had its ups and downs. Not long ago, the two couldn't help but take digs at each other, especially after a nasty blow-up over a federal spending bill. Musk, heading the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), called out Trump’s “monstrous” bill for worsening the deficit and cutting key incentives for electric vehicles—something Musk’s Tesla felt directly. Trump, in turn, accused Musk of just thinking about his own financial interests. The bickering went public, with Twitter posts getting deleted almost as quickly as they appeared. But even after all this, they’ve ended up at the same table once more.
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A Tumultuous Year of Clashes and Comebacks
Let’s rewind to see how things soured. In 2025, Musk threw hundreds of millions into Republican campaigns after the 2024 presidential race, becoming a major donor. Naturally, Trump turned to Musk for advice on making government more efficient. That birthed DOGE, tasked with slashing public spending. But Musk’s time as department chief didn’t last. By May 2025, following a tidal wave of resignations—21 staffers walked out citing controversial reforms—the partnership crumbled. Musk's exit only heated things up, sparking a chain of social media spats and media drama.
Musk hit back publicly, labelling Trump's pet project, the “Big Beautiful Bill”, as disastrous—he wrote that it was “scandalous”, with consequences for workers and clean energy progress. The fallout even saw Musk floating the idea of starting a new political party, and, more controversially, making pointed remarks about Trump’s supposed connection to the Epstein files—though he later deleted those posts. The White House chimed in, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt calling the flare-up “regrettable”.
Signs of Thaw and a New Public Phase
Despite months of no speaking and Twitter tempests, 2026 kicked off with a different vibe. At several late-2025 public events—like a memorial service for Charlie Kirk—the two gave each other cordial handshakes, and Musk was even back in the White House when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was honoured. The decisive moment, though, came when Musk posted a photo on X of his Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump and Melania, beaming:
“2026 is going to be amazing!”
Their dinner followed a blockbuster political week. The US had just captured Venezuela’s ex-president Nicolás Maduro, and Musk’s Starlink offered Venezuela free internet access “until February 3” for a “nation in transition”. Musk personally declared his support to Venezuelans freed from a “brutal tyranny”—a gesture that won applause among conservatives and signalled a more global outlook for his partnership with Trump. According to Newsweek, Trump called the Maduro situation an “opportunity” for US guidance in Venezuela’s energy sector.
While nobody’s forgotten the scandals—21 DOGE execs quitting over Musk’s reforms, fights over who gets credit for Republican wins, and the ever-present social media potshots—recent events suggest both men are ready to put their feud on the back burner, at least for now.
The Ripple Effect: What Could Happen Next?
Are we seeing a full-on alliance, or just a cold truce? The signs are mixed. Insiders from the White House, like Susie Wiles, say that trust hasn’t fully returned, even if they’re playing nice in public. Still, their new closeness could kick off a wave of innovation—think big tech meets big politics—which might reset how America does business with both Silicon Valley and the energy world.
There’s plenty to watch: will Starlink’s free internet continue beyond its current cut-off? Could Musk play a bigger political role, or is this just temporary peace for optics? One thing’s for sure: as the world keeps talking about this high-stakes dinner, everyone’s guessing where this unpredictable ‘bromance’ goes next.
How Are People Reacting?
The American political scene and social media have gone into overdrive. Some, like conservative commentator Eric Daugherty, praise Musk’s steadfast support for Trump despite past rows. Others remain sceptical, pointing out that “the wounds are still there” after so much digital mud-slinging. Still, the dinner’s warm reception, captured on camera and circulated online, hints at a broader forgiveness—at least in the court of public opinion.
And what about the engineers and staff who jumped ship from DOGE? Their voices, echoed in outlets like PEOPLE and CNN, underline lasting concern over the direction these two powerhouses could steer the country towards, especially if their partnership grows closer in 2026.
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Sources used:
President Trump and Elon Musk Attend Dinner Together at Mar-a-Lago
Trump hosts Musk at Mar-a-Lago dinner after shock Maduro raid, photo shows
Trump and Musk share 'lovely dinner' at Mar-a-Lago after public feuding
Donald Trump and Elon Musk Have 'Lovely' Dinner at Mar-a-Lago After Feud
