Trump Praises Elon Musk: Tesla CEO Lauded by Former US President

Donald Trump softened his tone toward Elon Musk during his Asia trip, telling reporters "I love Elon, and I think I'll always love him." This marks a notable shift after the two had a public falling out just six months ago over budget disagreements that ended Musk's role in government cost-cutting efforts.

The relationship between Trump and Musk started strong when Trump took office. Musk took on the job of reducing government spending in the early months of the administration. But things went sideways in early summer over disagreements about a major budget bill. After that clash, Musk stepped away from his political role entirely.

The split became more pronounced in July when Musk announced he was starting his own political party. This move signaled a clear break from Trump's circle and suggested Musk wanted to chart his own political course.

The two men reconnected briefly in September at Charlie Kirk's memorial service. Trump said they've had limited contact since then, describing their communication as "not much." But his friendly comments suggest he's leaving the door open for future collaboration.

For investors and political watchers, this matters because both men wield significant influence over markets and policy. Musk's companies like Tesla and SpaceX often move based on political winds, while Trump's statements can shift entire sectors. Their relationship status affects everything from electric vehicle policy to space contracts and tech regulation.