It was the bromance that defined 2024. One man had the megaphone of X; the other had the path back to the White House. When Elon Musk jumped for joy on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, it felt like the start of a decades-long alliance. But by mid-2025, that "star is born" energy had turned into a full-scale digital war. If you've been scrolling through social media lately wondering are Trump and Musk still friends, the answer is a complicated "it’s currently thawing."
Politics makes for strange bedfellows, but it makes for even stranger breakups.
The 2025 Blowup: From DOGE to Disaster
The cracks didn't just appear; they shattered. After Trump took office in January 2025, he handed Musk the keys to the kingdom—or at least the keys to the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). Musk was supposed to be the hatchet man, the guy who would trim $2 trillion from the federal budget. He did it with his usual "move fast and break things" style.
Then came the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB).
In June 2025, Musk publicly torched Trump’s marquee spending legislation. He called it a "pork-filled abomination." Honestly, it wasn't just a policy disagreement. It was personal. Musk posted on X, "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore." Trump, never one to take criticism lying down, fired back on Truth Social, calling Musk a "TRAIN WRECK" and suggesting he’d asked the billionaire to leave the White House.
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Things got ugly. Fast.
Musk even hinted at starting a third party and—in a move that shocked everyone—trolled the President by claiming Trump was in the unreleased Epstein files. For a few months there, the most powerful duo in the world weren't even on speaking terms.
The Great Thaw of 2026
So, where does that leave us today, in early 2026?
Surprisingly, the ice is melting. Just a couple of weeks ago, on January 4, 2026, Musk posted a photo that set the internet on fire. It was a blurry shot of him dining at Mar-a-Lago with Donald and Melania Trump. His caption? "Had a lovely dinner last night... 2026 is going to be amazing!"
It seems the "Bromance Part Two" is officially in production.
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Why the sudden reunion?
- Midterm Elections: The 2026 midterms are looming. Trump needs Musk’s money (he spent $288 million in 2024), and Musk needs a friendly administration to keep those SpaceX and Starlink contracts running smoothly.
- Geopolitics: Just days ago, Trump mentioned he might call Musk to use Starlink for internet access in Iran during the ongoing protests there. He told reporters on Air Force One, "I'm gonna call him as soon as I'm finished with you."
- The JD Vance Factor: Reports suggest Vice President JD Vance has been the quiet architect of this peace treaty. He’s been working behind the scenes to keep the world's richest man in the MAGA tent.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Feud
Most people think these two hate each other or love each other. The truth? It’s a transaction.
Musk is 80% super genius and 20% mistake-maker, at least according to Trump’s latest interview. Trump realizes that despite the "Epstein file" threats and the DOGE drama, Musk is a unique asset. He’s "very good at that kind of thing," referring to tech and efficiency.
On the flip side, Musk’s businesses—Tesla, SpaceX, xAI—are heavily tied to federal regulation. When Tesla stocks took a dive in early 2025 due to the political backlash, Trump actually stepped in and bought a red Model S to show support. That kind of loyalty is hard for even Elon to ignore for long.
The Actionable Reality
If you’re trying to track the status of are Trump and Musk still friends, don’t look at what they say—look at what they do.
- Watch the X Feed: If Musk is reposting Trump’s policy wins, the alliance is solid. If he starts talking about "transparency" regarding government files again, watch out.
- Follow the Contracts: Keep an eye on SpaceX’s federal permits. A "friendly" relationship usually results in fewer regulatory hurdles.
- Monitor the Midterm Spending: If Musk's America PAC starts pouring money into GOP candidates this spring, the friendship is fully restored.
The relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is a volatile mix of ego, power, and pragmatism. They aren't "friends" in the way you and your high school buddies are. They are two titans who realized they are much more dangerous to their enemies when they are standing on the same side of the line. For now, the dinner at Mar-a-Lago proves that the "Big Beautiful Breakup" of 2025 is officially over, and the 2026 partnership is just getting started.