Washington, (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump brushed aside Elon Musk’s attempts at reconciliation on Friday, a day after a heated public dispute between the two escalated into personal threats and political fallout.
In an interview with ABC News, Trump dismissed speculation of a rapprochement, saying the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had “lost his mind.”
When asked about reports of a scheduled call between them, Trump replied, “He wants to talk to me, but I’m not particularly interested right now.”
Earlier in the day, Musk appeared to extend an olive branch by endorsing a message on his social media platform X that urged both to reconcile.
“I @realDonaldTrump and @elonmusk making peace for the good of our great country. Together we are stronger,” wrote Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman.
“You’re not wrong,” Musk replied.
The South African-born entrepreneur also reversed course on a threat to dismantle SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which is used by NASA to supply the International Space Station.
“Good advice. Okay, we won’t take Dragon apart,” he wrote in response to a who urged him to “relax” and suggested both men were “better than yesterday’s drama.”
The threat to pull Dragon was one of several retaliatory comments Musk made after Trump warned he would end federal contracts with Musk’s companies, deals estimated to be worth 17 billion dollars.
Budget bill at the center of the clash
The dispute centers on a budget-cutting bill led by Trump, which ed the House earlier this week.
Musk, who recently stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has criticized the bill for worsening the deficit and undermining DOGE’s mission.
The fallout quickly turned personal. Musk accused Trump of appearing in Jeffrey Epstein’s files and claimed the president would not have won re-election in 2024 without his financial and media .
Vice President JD Vance defended Trump on Friday, saying on X that “of all the lies told about him, the biggest is that he’s impulsive or hot-headed. Anyone who’s seen him under pressure knows that’s nonsense.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Trump told reporters he seemed more “disappointed” than angry about the public falling-out.
One White House official, speaking anonymously, said Trump is even considering selling the red Tesla he purchased in March during a show of for Musk amid mounting criticism of his role at DOGE.
Republicans under pressure
The rift has placed Republican lawmakers and MAGA movement leaders in a difficult position.
Many are now forced to choose between their allegiance to Trump and their previous for Musk.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called Musk “a friend” but said the tech mogul’s recent attacks were “surprising and disappointing.”
While most GOP lawmakers backed Trump, some, including Reps. Chip Roy, Thomas Massie, and Ralph Norman used the opportunity to speak out against the controversial budget bill.
On the far right, Trump ally Steve Bannon took a harsher stance, calling for an investigation into Musk’s immigration status, his “immediate deportation,” and the seizure of SpaceX. Musk fired back, calling Bannon a “retarded communist.” EFE
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