Politics is a weird business, but the "bromance" between the world’s richest man and the 47th President of the United States takes the cake for the most chaotic relationship of the decade. One minute they’re practically finishing each other's sentences on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the next, they’re trading insults that would make a middle-schooler blush.
So, let's get to the heart of it: is elon musk and donald trump still friends right now in 2026?
The short answer? Kinda. It’s complicated. If you’re looking for a "yes" or "no," you’re not going to find it, because their relationship moves faster than a SpaceX booster. As of mid-January 2026, the two are back on speaking terms after a massive, very public fallout that dominated most of 2025. They recently shared a "lovely dinner" at Mar-a-Lago, and Trump has been seen praising Musk again on Air Force One. But to understand where they are today, you have to look at the wreckage of the last year.
The Honeymoon and the DOGE Days
Back in early 2025, you couldn't separate these two. Musk wasn't just a donor; he was "First Buddy." He was basically living at the White House, attending Cabinet meetings, and even flying on Air Force One with his son, X Æ A-12. Trump gave him the keys to the kingdom—or at least the keys to the budget—by appointing him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk promised to hack $2 trillion out of federal spending. He was the ultimate "X-factor" in the administration. For a few months, it was a total lovefest. Musk even famously posted on X that he loved Trump "as much as a straight man can love another man."
Then, the "Big Beautiful Bill" happened.
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The Blowup: "Such Ingratitude"
The friendship hit a brick wall in June 2025. Trump was pushing a massive legislative package—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—which covered everything from tax cuts to immigration and the national debt.
Musk hated it.
He took to X (formerly Twitter) to rail against the bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination" and the "biggest debt ceiling increase in history." Trump, never one to take criticism quietly, fired back. He claimed Musk only cared because he was cutting electric vehicle subsidies that benefited Tesla.
The spat got personal. Fast.
Musk dropped what he called the "really big bomb," suggesting Trump’s name was in the Epstein files. Trump responded by saying Musk was "wearing thin" and that he had asked him to leave the administration. By July 4, 2025—the day Trump signed the bill into law—the two were effectively over. Musk even flirted with the idea of starting his own political party.
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The 2026 Thaw: Why They Made Up
You can’t keep two of the world's biggest egos apart forever, especially when they need each other. The reconciliation started quietly in September 2025. They were spotted sitting together and chatting at a memorial service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona.
By November, Musk was back at the White House for a high-profile dinner with the Saudi Crown Prince. Trump started telling reporters, "I like Elon a lot," though he admitted he wasn't sure if they were officially "friends" again.
Here is the current state of play as we hit 2026:
- The Mar-a-Lago Dinner: On January 4, 2026, Musk posted a photo of himself with the President and First Lady, captioning it that they had a "lovely dinner" and that "2026 is going to be amazing!"
- The Iran Connection: Just this week, Trump told reporters he plans to call Musk to discuss using Starlink to provide internet to protesters in Iran.
- The "80/20" Rule: Trump recently gave his current assessment of Musk: "He's 80% super genius and 20% he makes mistakes. But he's a good guy."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Feud
People think this is about personality, but it’s mostly about policy and leverage. Musk needs the government for SpaceX contracts and autonomous vehicle regulations. Trump needs Musk’s platform (X) and his "move fast and break things" energy to keep his base excited.
When Musk criticized the "Big Beautiful Bill," it wasn't just a tweet; it was a challenge to Trump's authority over the GOP. When Trump threatened Musk's government contracts, it was a reminder of who actually holds the power in Washington. They didn't make up because they suddenly like each other’s jokes again; they made up because they are more powerful together than apart.
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The Tesla Factor
Honestly, the biggest strain on the friendship remains the EV mandate. Trump wants to protect the traditional oil and gas industry, while Musk's entire net worth is tied to the transition to electric. This is a fundamental disagreement that a dinner at Mar-a-Lago won't fix. Watch for how the administration handles autonomous driving regulations in the coming months—that will be the real test of whether this "rebooted bromance" has legs.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
If you’re following this for your portfolio or just because you like the drama, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Regulation: If the Trump administration starts clearing the path for Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) with federal-level standards, the friendship is solid. If they drag their feet, expect another Twitter (X) meltdown.
- Monitor Government Contracts: SpaceX is still the darling of the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been praising Musk’s "pace" of innovation. As long as the contracts keep flowing, the relationship will likely remain "friendly."
- The Midterm Factor: Musk has hinted he’ll be back to funding GOP candidates for the 2026 midterms. Money is the ultimate glue in political friendships.
The saga of whether is elon musk and donald trump still friends is far from over. It’s a cyclical relationship. We are currently in the "upswing" phase of the cycle, where both men realize they are mutually beneficial assets. Just don't be surprised if another "disgusting abomination" of a bill sends them back into a social media war by summertime.
For now, the bros are back.
To stay ahead of how this relationship impacts the market, keep a close eye on White House visitor logs and Musk’s late-night posting habits on X. These are often the first indicators of a shift in the political winds. You should also track Department of Transportation announcements regarding autonomous vehicle oversight, as this remains the primary area where Musk’s business interests and Trump’s policy goals are likely to collide or align.