Trump accepts Musk’s apology, says no hard feelings.
‘No Hard Feelings’: Trump Responds to Musk’s Apology After Public Feud
U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s recent apology, offering a surprisingly calm reaction to what had become a highly public and personal feud between the two influential figures. Despite the sharp words exchanged over the past week, President Trump said he holds “no hard feelings” toward Musk, though he admitted being “a little disappointed.”
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said, “I was really surprised by how things blew up, but I don’t blame Elon. Sometimes things get heated. He made a nice apology, and I think that says a lot.”
Trump was referring to Musk’s recent admission that he may have gone “too far” in his criticism of the President, particularly regarding the administration’s controversial “Big Beautiful Bill” and other policy decisions.
The tension first flared when Musk took aim at the President’s proposed immigration and infrastructure reforms, mockingly referring to the “Big Beautiful Bill” and calling parts of the legislation “a disaster for innovation.” In response, Trump fired back, downplaying Musk’s past support and claiming that he could have “won the election without him.”
The feud escalated when Musk suggested, without providing evidence, that Trump may have obstructed the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, citing past associations between the two. This statement in particular drew significant backlash and shocked even some of Musk’s staunchest supporters.
I hope we can focus on solving the bigger problems facing the country.”
According to a report by The New York Times, Musk’s apology came after a phone call involving himself, Vice President J.D.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump had acknowledged Musk’s apology. She emphasized that the administration is now turning its attention back to the priorities of the American people, noting that “differences of opinion are natural but should not distract from the work that needs to be done.”
“President Trump appreciates Mr. Musk’s remarks,” Leavitt said. “He believes it’s time to move on and focus on addressing the economic and security challenges that Americans care about most.”
While Trump acknowledged Musk’s personal outreach—some reports suggest the Tesla CEO contacted Trump directly on Monday—he stopped short of confirming whether their once-close relationship could be restored.
“I appreciated the call,” Trump said. “We’ll see what happens. I’m focused on doing what’s best for the country.”
The incident highlights the complex relationship between Trump and Musk—two larger-than-life figures whose interests have occasionally aligned but who have also clashed publicly on major issues ranging from climate change and space policy to social media and free speech.
For now, it appears the feud has cooled, with both sides signaling a desire to put the matter behind them. Whether this marks a fresh start or merely a temporary truce remains to be seen.