The internet moves fast, but the relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump moves faster. Honestly, if you blinked over the last six months, you probably missed three feuds and a couple of "world-saving" reunions.
Today, January 17, 2026, the digital world is buzzing again. Why? Because Musk just threw a massive spotlight on the administration's current immigration strategy. Specifically, he's leaning into the tension in Minneapolis.
What Really Happened With the Elon Musk Trump Tweet Today
Musk didn't just post a meme or a rocket emoji this time. He recirculated a post on X that's causing a massive stir. It involves a call for "white solidarity" to prevent what the post termed the "mass murder of white men." Musk added a simple "100" emoji.
That’s it. One emoji. But in the world of high-stakes politics, it’s a sledgehammer.
This comes right as the Trump administration is doubling down on its immigration crackdown in Minnesota. It’s a messy situation. You've got ICE agents involved in shootings, protesters in the streets of Minneapolis, and a White House that is increasingly using imagery—horses, riders, national identity music—that critics say mirrors far-right tropes.
By hitting "repost" on that specific content, Musk isn't just a tech CEO anymore. He’s acting as a secondary communications arm for the administration. Or at least, he’s signaling that he’s back in the "inner circle" after that brutal falling out they had last summer.
The Backstory: From "Besties" to "American Party" Threats
To understand why today’s activity matters, we have to look at how we got here.
In early 2025, Musk was basically living at the White House. He was the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He was sleeping in guest rooms, attending cabinet meetings, and basically acting as Trump’s "first buddy." But then came June.
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Trump introduced his signature legislation, the "One Big Beautiful Bill." It was a massive spending package.
Musk hated it.
He called it a "disgusting abomination." He threatened to start a third party—the American Party. Trump, never one to take criticism lying down, suggested Musk might need to be "investigated" or even "deported." It was peak drama. For months, they didn't speak.
But then, Charlie Kirk’s memorial service happened in September. They were spotted whispering. Then came a dinner at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month where Musk posted: "2026 is going to be amazing!"
Why the H-1B Visa Debate is the Next Flashpoint
It's not all just about social media posts and dinners. There is real policy at stake.
While they seem aligned on the Minneapolis situation today, there’s a massive elephant in the room: H-1B visas.
- Musk’s Stance: He wants more high-skilled workers. He literally said he’d go to "war" to protect the H-1B program because Tesla and SpaceX need that talent.
- The Hardliners: A lot of Trump’s base wants those visas gone. They see it as taking jobs from Americans.
- Trump’s Move: Surprisingly, Trump sided with Musk. He recently stated he’s "always been in favor" of the program for foreign tech workers.
This is a huge deal. It shows that despite the public bickering, Musk still has the President’s ear on things that affect his bottom line.
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The Global Power Play: Iran and Starlink
Another reason you’re seeing so much Musk-Trump crossover today is Iran.
The Iranian government has been jamming the internet to stop protesters. Trump actually reached out to Musk to ask if Starlink could help. "We may speak to Elon," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. "He's very good at that kind of thing."
Musk apparently gave his engineers the green light. So, you have a private citizen essentially running a shadow foreign policy for the United States. It's wild. It’s also exactly why these tweets and posts get so much scrutiny. When Elon Musk posts about Trump, it's not just "social media." It's a signal of where the US government might head next regarding technology and global intervention.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Feud
A lot of people think their "feud" was just for show. It wasn't.
Musk was genuinely worried about federal spending. He felt the DOGE initiatives were being undermined by the administration's desire to pass big-budget bills. On the flip side, Trump felt Musk was becoming too powerful and too vocal about things that weren't his business.
The reconciliation we're seeing today isn't necessarily because they "like" each other again. It’s because they need each other.
Trump needs X to bypass traditional media. Musk needs the government to keep granting SpaceX contracts and supporting the H-1B program. It's a marriage of convenience.
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The UK Factor and "Grok"
While things are warming up in the US, Musk is facing a total meltdown in the UK.
British regulators are threatening to ban X because of Grok, Musk's AI. Apparently, people are using it to create pretty "disgusting" (Prime Minister Starmer’s words, not mine) AI images.
The Trump administration has already stepped in to defend Musk, calling the UK's potential ban "Russia-style censorship." This tells you everything you need to know about the current state of their relationship. If you're Musk, and the UK is threatening your business, you're going to want the most powerful man in the world in your corner.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep up with this, don't just look at the headlines. Here is how to actually track what’s happening:
- Watch the "Emoji" Responses: Musk often signals major policy shifts or alliances with a single emoji response to specific accounts like DogeDesigner or EndWokeness.
- Monitor the H-1B Legislation: If the administration starts carving out exceptions for tech workers, you know Musk’s influence is at an all-time high.
- Check Starlink Deployments: Anytime there’s a conflict in a place like Iran or Venezuela, watch for Musk’s "The beams are on" posts. It usually follows a phone call from the White House.
The "Elon Musk Trump tweet today" isn't just a moment of internet history. It's a map of how power is being consolidated between Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. in 2026.
To stay ahead, keep an eye on the official White House X account and Musk’s personal feed. The reconciliation seems solid for now, but as 2025 showed us, everything can change with a single post about a spending bill.
Pay attention to the specific language used around the Minneapolis immigration situation over the next 48 hours. If the administration begins using the "solidarity" language Musk just endorsed, the merger of their messaging is complete.