Trump says he has no plans to speak to Musk as feud persists

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he has no intention of communicating with Elon Musk, indicating that the president and his former ally may not settle their dispute over an extensive tax-cut legislation in the near future.  Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump stated he wasn’t “considering” the Tesla CEO.

“I hope he does well with Tesla,” Trump said.

However, Trump said a review of Musk’s extensive contracts with the federal government was in order. “We’ll take look at everything,” the president said. “It’s a lot of money.”

According to a White House official who wished to remain unnamed, Trump might sell the red Tesla Model S he purchased in March after he displayed Musk’s electric vehicles on the White House lawn.

Musk, on his end, did not directly mention Trump but continued his critique of the vast Republican tax and spending legislation that includes a significant portion of Trump’s domestic policies.

On his social-media platform X, Musk highlighted comments from others suggesting that Trump’s “big beautiful bill” would negatively impact Republicans politically and increase the nation’s $36.2 trillion debt. He responded “exactly” to a post from another X user claiming Musk had condemned Congress and Trump had countered by attacking Musk directly.

Musk also stated that it was necessary to establish a new political party in the United States “to represent the 80% in the center!” Individuals who have communicated with Musk indicate that his anger is fading, and they believe he will seek to mend his relationship with Trump, based on insights from someone familiar with Musk’s circle.

The White House remarks were made just one day after the two men openly clashed in an unprecedented show of animosity, signaling a sharp conclusion to their once-close partnership. Tesla shares increased on Friday, recouping some losses from Thursday when it fell 14% and lost $150 billion in market value, marking the largest one-day decline in the company’s history.

Musk’s prominent supporters have mostly remained quiet amid the conflict. However, one investor, James Fishback, urged Musk to offer an apology.  “President Trump has shown grace and patience at a time when Elon’s behavior is disappointing and frankly downright disturbing,” Fishback said in a statement.

Musk called Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill a “disgusting abomination,” complicating its passage in Congress. After the bill passed the House, Trump expressed disappointment in Musk’s opposition. Tensions escalated over personnel decisions and feedback on legislation. Musk threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, then backed off. A continuing feud may hurt Republican midterm chances if Musk withdraws support.