What did Trump say about his meeting with Musk after the rift?
In one of the most notable political and social moments of this year, former U.S. President Donald Trump met publicly with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk after a period of tension and estrangement between them.
The meeting took place during
the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025. The event gathered conservative supporters along with influential political and cultural figures.
Background of the Rift
The relationship between Trump and Musk had witnessed significant tensions in recent months, especially after Musk participated in overseeing the “Department of Government Efficiency,”
also known as DOGE, an initiative aimed at reducing public spending waste and improving government effectiveness during Trump’s presidency.
The strain escalated when Musk criticized
Trump’s massive tax
and spending package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Musk described it as an economic disaster and urged the public and Congress to oppose it. This angered Trump, who threatened to revoke government contracts with Musk’s companies, sparking a very public feud.
The Moment of Reconnection
- At Charlie Kirk’s memorial, Trump and Musk appeared together in
- front of the audience and exchanged a handshake
- marking their first public meeting since the fallout.
When Trump was later asked about
the encounter and whether reconciliation was in the works
he said that Musk simply came over and said hello
calling it
a small but kind gesture. He added that they spoke briefly.
Lip readers
reported that Trump said to Musk:
“How are you doing?”
and “Let’s try and work out how to get back on track.” Musk responded with nods of acknowledgment. Some also interpreted Trump’s words as including, “I’ve missed you,” during the handshake.
Trump’s Description and Media Reactions
Trump later
- described the encounter as a “little conversation” and said
- he felt relieved that it happened in a cordial manner
- adding that it was nice of Musk to approach him.
From the perspective of
the media and analysts, the meeting is seen as a possible step toward
cooling tensions
or at least as an opening for dialogue. Observers noted that
Musk’s attendance and the joint photos captioned “For Charlie”
signaled
a symbolic attempt to show that, despite their differences, there remains mutual respect or a willingness to put aside division in honor of a shared cause or figure.
Key Points From Trump’s Remarks
-
“Elon came over and said hello.”
-
The meeting was “nice and appropriate,” and Trump said he was glad Musk did that.
-
According to lip readers, Trump said: “How are you doing?” and “Let’s try and work out how to get back on track.”
-
Trump characterized the moment as just “a little conversation” after a period of conflict.
Conclusion
The Trump-Musk meeting after months of estrangement stands as a symbolic milestone showing that their disputes may not be final.
Trump’s tone
after the encounter was moderate and open to dialogue, emphasizing
a desire to restore relations rather than inflame tensions further.
While it remains uncertain whether this signals full reconciliation
the moment undoubtedly marks a turning point in their relationship.