U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk speaks with Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, during the Ira C. Eaker Distinguished Speaker Presentation in the Academy's Arnold Hall on April 7, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor cokley)
Trump Says “No Hard Feelings” After Musk’s Apology
U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to Elon Musk’s public apology with a tone of reconciliation, saying there are “no hard feelings” following their high-profile fallout last week. The remarks mark a significant de-escalation after days of online hostility that triggered speculation about federal contracts and political alliances.
Musk Expresses Regret for Public Outburst
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) admitting that his recent criticisms of Trump were excessive. He wrote, “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.” Musk had previously taken shots at Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” made veiled references to Epstein-related controversies, and even hinted at impeachment support—all of which sparked a major backlash from Trump’s supporters.
Behind the scenes, Musk reportedly sought to calm the waters by engaging with Trump’s inner circle, including JD Vance and Susie Wiles, and eventually reached out directly to Trump through a personal phone call.
Trump Downplays Rift, Acknowledges Apology
In response, Trump said he found the apology “very nice,” although he admitted being “a little disappointed” by Musk’s earlier remarks. Nonetheless, he emphasized that he holds no grudge. According to aides, Trump has no plans to revisit threats of cutting off government contracts to Musk’s companies—an option that had briefly surfaced during the height of the dispute.
The White House echoed this tone, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the President is focused on delivering results for the American people and welcomes respectful engagement from all sectors, including tech leaders like Musk.
Political and Market Stabilization
The détente between Trump and Musk has had immediate implications, both politically and financially. Tesla stock rose by 2.6% in pre-market trading as investors interpreted the apology and reconciliation as a signal that federal support for Musk’s ventures remains intact. The feud’s resolution also helps Trump avoid a prolonged distraction while securing Musk’s vast social media influence ahead of a turbulent election cycle.
Observers suggest the episode reflects a broader recalibration of power between Silicon Valley and Washington, where public spats are increasingly followed by quiet negotiations and strategic realignments.
