In a surprising twist to a heated tech-political rivalry, Elon Musk appears ready to ease tensions with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, known for his blunt social media remarks and unapologetic approach, signaled openness to a "cooling-off period" in the ongoing public spat between the two powerhouses.
The feud has intensified in recent weeks as Trump took jabs at Musk’s influence over AI, electric vehicles, and social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). In turn, Musk criticized Trump’s political resurgence, calling his tactics “outdated” and “divisive.” The conflict sent waves across both political and tech sectors, even briefly impacting Tesla stock and user sentiment on X.
However, in a recent post on X, Musk stated:
“It’s in everyone’s interest that politics and innovation don’t collide like this. Open to letting cooler heads prevail.”
This marks a stark shift from Musk’s earlier tone, indicating a strategic recalibration—perhaps driven by investor pressure or geopolitical considerations. Sources close to Musk’s inner circle suggest that advisors encouraged him to de-escalate the tension to maintain focus on his upcoming AI and space projects.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign has remained largely silent on the olive branch. Political analysts believe this silence may be deliberate, allowing the Trump camp to gauge public sentiment before responding.
The broader tech world is watching closely. A temporary truce could prevent further volatility in tech stocks, especially those linked to Musk-led companies, and may even ease bipartisan criticism surrounding the tech industry’s influence on politics.
Conclusion:
While it's too early to call this a reconciliation, Musk’s shift in tone suggests a recognition of the need for diplomacy—even between two of the most influential and ego-driven figures in America. Whether Trump responds with peace or provocation remains to be seen.