Elon Musk and Trump Reconcile Over Dinner at Mar-a-Lago Following Public Feud
Elon Musk and President Trump reconciled over dinner at Mar-a-Lago following months of public disagreements. Musk posted about the meeting on social media, generating 21 million views. Their relationship had soured after Musk left his DOGE role in June 2025 and criticized Trump's spending package, leading to public exchanges where Trump suggested Musk had "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Elon Musk and President Donald Trump appear to have mended their relationship following a dinner meeting at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend. The Tesla CEO shared details of the encounter on social media, suggesting a potential reconciliation after months of public disagreements.
Social Media Announcement Draws Significant Attention
Musk posted about the dinner on January 5, 2026, sharing a photo of himself dining with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. His post included the caption: "Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS. 2026 is going to be amazing!" The announcement generated substantial engagement, accumulating 21 million views and drawing polarized responses from supporters and critics.
Background of Recent Tensions
The dinner marks a notable shift in the relationship between the two prominent figures, which had deteriorated significantly following Musk's departure from his government role. Key developments in their recent disagreements include:
| Event | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| DOGE Departure | June 2025 | Musk left role as head of Department of Government Efficiency |
| Spending Package Criticism | Summer 2025 | Musk called Trump-backed package "disgusting abomination" |
| Electric Vehicle Credits | 2025 | Musk criticized removal of EV tax credits |
| Public Exchange | 2025 | Trump suggested Musk was "wearing thin" |
Tensions escalated when Musk publicly criticized a Trump-backed spending package, describing it as a "disgusting abomination" and a "mountain of pork." He specifically objected to the removal of electric vehicle tax credits from the legislation.
Trump's Response and Escalation
President Trump responded to Musk's criticism during an Oval Office press conference, telling reporters that Musk was "wearing thin" and suggesting the billionaire had "Trump Derangement Syndrome" after leaving the administration. The disagreement intensified when Trump threatened to review federal contracts for SpaceX, prompting Musk to briefly threaten the decommissioning of the Dragon spacecraft fleet.
Recent Positive Comments
Following the dinner, Trump spoke positively about Musk during a press session on Air Force One on Sunday, stating: "Elon's great. He is 80% super genius & 20% he makes mistakes." This represents a marked change in tone from their previous public exchanges.
Historical Pattern of Relationship Dynamics
The current reconciliation follows a pattern established in their previous interactions. Before becoming a key ally during the 2024 campaign, Musk had tweeted that it was time for Trump to "hang up his hat and sail into the sunset" in 2022. Trump had responded by labeling Musk a "bullshit artist" who would have "dropped to his knees and begged" for subsidies. The weekend dinner suggests both figures have chosen to reset their relationship once again.
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