Trump Recounts His Complex Bond with Elon Musk
Former President Donald Trump recently opened up about his evolving relationship with entrepreneur Elon Musk, describing him as a "friend" who eventually "got a little bit strange." Despite their public disagreements, Trump appears willing to move past previous tensions.
From Support to Strain
Trump reminisced about how Musk, the CEO behind Tesla and SpaceX, supported him early on—even though Trump's administration planned to eliminate electric vehicle mandates. Trump praised Musk’s candidness, recalling a conversation where Musk explained that as long as the playing field was level, Tesla could compete.
"He never tried to sway me on the EV policies," Trump noted. "I said, 'That’s very cool.' But after that, he started acting a little strange, for reasons I’m not sure about."
Public Fallout and Forgiveness
The "strange" behavior refers to Musk’s outspoken posts that included calls for Trump’s impeachment and accusations linking him to controversial figures. Musk later deleted those posts and apologized, paving the way for Trump to express forgiveness.
Interestingly, Trump’s stance on Tesla softened over time. Initially, sources suggested he wouldn’t keep the Tesla he purchased, but later reports indicated he would retain it for other uses. Now, Trump openly states that he likes Tesla, signaling a thaw in their dynamic.
A Friendship With Its Ups and Downs
Trump’s reflections highlight a relationship marked by initial alignment and later conflict, fueled by differing views on policy and provocative public comments. Yet, despite the rocky moments, there remains a degree of respect and a willingness to look beyond past grievances.
Key takeaways:
- Elon Musk endorsed Trump early despite EV mandate opposition.
- Trump admired Musk’s honesty and competitive spirit.
- Relationship soured after Musk's controversial posts, later retracted.
- Trump has softened his stance on Tesla ownership.
- The former president calls Musk a "friend" despite the complexities.
