Trump: Reconciliation With Musk Is Possible Over Spending Bill Clash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump says he’s open to reconciling with Elon Musk after their clash over a controversial spending bill. Musk recently apologized for harsh comments, calling the bill a “disgusting abomination.” Trump emphasized his focus on national recovery and said he was “disappointed but optimistic” about their relationship.
Trump, Musk, and the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Feud – Quick Looks
- Trump open to reconciling with Elon Musk after bitter dispute over spending legislation.
- Musk criticized Trump’s $2 trillion bill as “outrageous” and “pork-filled.”
- Musk stepped down from Trump’s government efficiency office (DOGE) in May.
- Trump expressed surprise at Musk’s public backlash but appreciated recent apology.
- Trump: “I have no hard feelings” and called the bill “phenomenal.”
- The spending package extends 2017 tax cuts, boosts defense and border funding.
- Musk hinted at regret in recent post on X, saying his remarks “went too far.”
- Podcast appearance was on Miranda Devine’s Pod Force One inaugural episode.
- Trump emphasized his focus is on economic recovery, not personal feuds.
- Devine’s new podcast promises weekly candid talks with major political figures.
Trump and Musk: From Fallout to Forgiveness – Deep Look
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signaled he’s ready to mend fences with Elon Musk after their high-profile spat over Trump’s signature spending package, calling the conflict “unfortunate” but stressing the importance of unity as the nation focuses on economic recovery.
In the premiere episode of Miranda Devine’s new podcast, Pod Force One, Trump addressed the recent public fallout with Musk, saying, “I have no hard feelings.” The president described Musk’s harsh criticism of his $2 trillion “big, beautiful bill” as surprising, but not insurmountable.
“I was really surprised that that happened. He went after a bill that’s phenomenal,” Trump said. “I think he feels very badly that he said that, actually.”
Musk, who was tapped by Trump to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to help trim federal spending, abruptly resigned from the position in late May. In a now-viral post on X, Musk lambasted the president’s budget legislation as “a disgusting abomination,” accusing lawmakers of inflating the national debt with “pork-filled” spending.
The bill, currently pending in the Senate after passing the House on May 22, is designed to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while providing massive increases in border and defense funding. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it will add trillions to the U.S.’s existing $36.2 trillion national debt.
Trump, though disappointed in Musk’s reaction, suggested the billionaire’s tone had softened. In a recent post on X, Musk admitted, “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
“It was very nice,” Trump said in a follow-up comment to the New York Post after Musk’s apology.
The tension between the two influential figures reflects deeper divisions over fiscal priorities and government efficiency. Musk’s initial enthusiasm for Trump’s fiscal strategy appears to have faded, culminating in barbed exchanges that even included a reference to Trump being tied to the “Epstein files” — a claim Musk has since retracted.
Still, Trump made clear his sights are set on larger goals. “My sole function now is getting this country back to a level higher than it’s ever been,” he said. “And I think we can do that.”
Miranda Devine’s podcast debut provides a high-profile platform for Trump to control the narrative. Known for her reporting on Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal in 2020, Devine aims to deliver unfiltered conversations with political power players. “I’ll be speaking to the most powerful people in the world,” she said, “finding out what really drives them.”
The debut of Pod Force One comes as Trump’s administration pushes forward with aggressive economic and foreign policy strategies — including a renewed effort to broaden the Abraham Accords, a move Musk had previously supported.
As for future collaboration between Trump and Musk? The door appears to be ajar.
“I guess I could,” Trump said when asked if reconciliation was possible. “But we have to straighten out the country first.”
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