In a surprising twist to their ongoing feud, recent reports suggest that Elon Musk, the outspoken CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), may be trying to mend fences with former U.S. President Donald Trump — a move that’s sparked curiosity, confusion, and even ridicule across both political and tech circles.

Is Musk truly “groveling,” as critics claim? Or is there something more strategic at play?

The Musk–Trump Rift: A Quick Recap

The relationship between Musk and Trump has been rocky. Although the two once appeared aligned — particularly on issues like free speech and deregulation — things soured quickly when Musk criticized Trump’s behavior and publicly said it was “time for Trump to retire.”

Trump, never one to hold back, responded by calling Musk “another BS artist” and claiming Musk “begged” for government support during his presidency.

A Sudden Change in Tone

Fast forward to this month, and the tone has shifted. Sources close to both men suggest that Musk has reached out to Trump through backchannels, reportedly expressing “regret” over past comments and floating the idea of “cooperation” in the future — particularly around digital platforms and free speech policies.

A leaked post on X even appeared to soften Musk’s stance:

“We may not agree on everything, but President Trump’s resilience is undeniable. Respect.”

Though Musk later deleted the post, screenshots had already gone viral — and the internet took notice.

Critics React: “Groveling” or Strategizing?

Musk’s apparent olive branch has drawn sharp criticism from both the political left and right:

Progressives accuse Musk of hypocrisy, saying he’s pandering for relevance or influence if Trump returns to power.

Conservatives are split — some welcome Musk back into the fold, others see it as a desperate PR move.

One political commentator tweeted:

“Elon called Trump unfit for office last year. Now he’s tiptoeing back. That’s not leadership — that’s groveling.”

What’s Musk’s Endgame?

Some analysts argue Musk is playing a long political game. With Trump leading in Republican polls and the 2024 election looming, Musk may see alignment with Trump — or at least neutrality — as a business decision.

Musk’s companies rely on policy and regulation, and being at odds with a potential future president could hurt projects like Starlink, X, or federal EV incentives.

Tech analyst Kara Swisher commented:

“This isn’t about personal feelings. It’s about power. Elon sees where the winds are blowing.”

Trump’s Response? Predictably Vague

While Trump hasn’t directly addressed Musk’s apparent change in tone, insiders say he’s “amused” and willing to play the game — as long as the attention stays on him.

As one former Trump adviser told Axios:

“Donald doesn’t mind people coming back. As long as they come back on their knees.”

Conclusion: A Truce, or a Transaction?

Whether Elon Musk’s gesture is genuine regret or calculated diplomacy, one thing is certain: this evolving drama is far from over. With Trump eyeing a political comeback and Musk expanding his influence in media and policy, their paths are likely to cross again — and again.

For now, the world watches as two of the loudest voices in modern America circle back into each other’s orbit — not as friends, perhaps, but as powerful figures navigating the same storm.