Donald Trump and Elon Musk have angrily posted about each other on social media in the past 24 hours but there are signs the two billionaires are on the verge of a truce
It was an explosive war of words which infamously blew up like one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets.
Yet in only a way Donald Trump could do, the maverick politician has today brushed it under the carpet. He came under interrogation by reporters – but somewhat found a way to give the spat with Mr Musk another spectacular dimension.
When asked about the very public breakup with his one-time megabacker, the nonchalant President said: “It’s going very well, never done better.” These bizarre seven words jar hugely with the farce which had played out on the world’s stage just hours before – with both billionaires angrily posted about each other on social media.
From tax cuts to immigration enforcement, Mr Trump and Mr Musk quarrelled over issues impacting millions across the US. It become so ugly Stephen K Bannon, one of Mr Musk’s most vocal critics, waded into the feud, urging the President to boot the tech giant out of the country.
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Mr Trump’s bonkers response to the question by the POLITICO reporter offered no clarity on the spat. Instead, it gave the world leader the opportunity to waffle about one of his favourite subjects – himself.
“Oh it’s okay… The numbers (favorability ratings) are through the roof, the highest polls I’ve ever had and I have to go,” the President told the publication today. It is the first time Mr Trump has spoken publicly about the blow-up, which played out on X (Twitter).
White House aides have reportedly worked to persuade the world leader to temper his public criticism of Mr Musk to avoid escalation. A call has been scheduled today with Mr Musk and Mr Trump, it is understood. The President had previously posted on TruthSocial: “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago.”
But when Mr Bannon, a former advisor of the Republican, bumbled into the row on Thursday, he described Mr Musk as “an illegal alien”. The 71-year-old media executive said: “They should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status, because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported from the country immediately.” Mr Trump has yet to publicly respond to Mr Bannon’s remarks.
Mr Musk quit his role as advisor, after previously admitting he “probably spent a bit too much time on politics”. The comment came during an interview after another SpaceX rocket exploded on a test launch in Texas, US.
But despite stepping down, Mr Musk continues to be embroiled in a battle with his former friend. Mr Bannon’s scathing take increases the pressure on the President as his ally referred to Mr Musk’s heritage. The wealthy businessman was born in Pretoria, South Africa, emigrated in 1989 to Canada and then moved to California in 1997. However, he became an American citizen in 2002, the year in which he founded SpaceX.