President Trump has privately acknowledged feeling hurt by his public split with Elon Musk, even though the two have resumed limited, work‑focused contact after a back‑channel truce. Vice President J.D. Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles helped broker the rapprochement. Musk plans to revive America PAC and spend at least $100 million on voter‑turnout efforts ahead of the midterms; he previously spent nearly $300 million supporting Trump in 2024. Aides say the relationship will never be as close as it once was.
Trump Admits He Was Hurt By Fallout With Elon Musk as Truce Holds, Sources Say
Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
President Donald Trump has privately told aides he was hurt by his public split with Elon Musk, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The two once-close figures patched things up after a very public falling-out, but the relationship has not returned to its former warmth.
Background
The friendship frayed after Musk, who had been tapped by the White House to help oversee a controversial cost‑cutting initiative, publicly suggested Mr. Trump's name appeared repeatedly in the Epstein files and implied that was a reason those documents remained sealed. The exchange escalated into a sharp public feud, with both men trading barbs.
After spending big in the 2024 election, Elon Musk was often by President Donald Trump's side, including attending Cabinet meetings, holding White House press conferences, and accompanying Trump to events. / Brandon Bell / Getty Images
How The Truce Happened
The Journal reports that a détente was brokered largely through back‑channel efforts by Vice President J.D. Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Since then, Trump and Musk have resumed limited contact — reportedly a tentative, work‑focused call about once a month — but aides say the relationship "will never be as close as they once were."
Political Support And Money
The relationship is back on. / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
Musk is reportedly preparing to invest heavily in voter‑turnout efforts ahead of the midterms. Axios first reported that Musk is reviving his dormant fundraising vehicle, America PAC, and plans to spend at least $100 million on a ground operation that would include door‑knocking, digital advertising, and targeted mail to mobilize conservative voters. Musk previously spent nearly $300 million to support Trump's 2024 campaign.
"Privately, Trump says he and Musk will never be as close as they once were," aides told the Journal.
Public Statements
The White House framed Musk's involvement positively. A spokesperson told the Journal that Mr. Trump "has built the greatest coalition in the history of American politics, full of patriots like Elon Musk who are deeply committed to preserving all of the historic accomplishments of this administration." Musk, for his part, said on X after the fallout that the president had shown "such ingratitude" and asserted, "Without me, Trump would have lost the election."
What Remains Unclear
Despite resumed cooperation, aides say old wounds linger and both men remain guarded. Their calls reportedly focus on strategic topics such as China, artificial intelligence, and global events rather than personal reconciliation. The Wall Street Journal reported these private comments; representatives for the White House and for Elon Musk were contacted for comment.
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