By Joke Kujenya
UNITED STATES President Donald Trump has acknowledged and accepted Elon Musk’s public apology over recent social media attacks, calling the gesture “very nice.”
President Trump however stopped short of confirming whether their fractured relationship would be repaired.
Earlier on Thursday evening, Musk had admitted that he had “gone too far” in his online criticisms of the president, following a week of escalating tensions that included accusations about election interference and ties to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said in a post: “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
Trump responded the next morning in a brief phone conversation, saying he appreciated the apology but gave no indication of whether he would forgive or forget.
“I thought it was very nice that he did that,” he said, without elaborating on any plans for reconciliation.
The fallout began last Thursday after Musk alleged on X that Trump would not have secured the 2024 presidency without his support.
He also implied the president had blocked the release of sensitive Epstein-related files. Musk later deleted the posts.
Tensions mounted when Trump retaliated on his Truth Social, branding Musk “crazy” and accusing him of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
He went further, threatening to review Musk’s federal contracts and mocking the billionaire’s departure from his advisory role in the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency.
Efforts were made to de-escalate the feud behind the scenes.
Vice President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles reportedly spoke with Musk by phone on Friday to discuss his standing with the president.
Though the media could not confirm reports that Musk reached out to Trump directly on Monday, insiders say the administration remains open to mending the relationship.
Despite Trump’s private frustration, his public remarks have been measured. “Nothing surprises me,” he told reporters, referring to Musk’s attacks.
While expressing disappointment in his former “first buddy,” Trump stopped short of severing ties completely.
Musk’s tone shifted again this week amid political unrest in Los Angeles.
As immigration protests turned violent, the tech mogul echoed pro-Trump sentiments, resharing posts that praised the administration’s law-and-order stance.
He posted an American flag emoji in response to a tweet by Vance lauding Trump’s intolerance for rioting and amplified a Truth Social message from the president demanding an apology from California leaders.
The vice president suggested the president is willing to give Musk space. “The president is a little frustrated, but he’s actually been restrained because he doesn’t want to be in some blood feud,” Vance said. “I think if Elon chills out a little bit everything will be fine.”
Trump, however, remains noncommittal. Asked if he would speak to Musk, he replied: “I haven’t really thought about it actually. I would imagine he wants to speak to me. I would think so. If I were him, I’d want to speak to me.”
Asked if he would take the call, Trump added: “I would not have a problem.”
