“He's had his down time, but I like Elon and I think I always will.” Trump says he has reconnected with Musk after months of political attacks and threats

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he has reconnected with Elon Musk, saying the two have spoken “from time to time” after sitting together at the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month in Arizona, and that their relationship is “good,” according to Politico.

“I've always liked Elon,” Trump said in response to a question from Politico aboard Air Force One en route to Japan. “He's had a bad time. He's had a rough time. But I like Elon, and I think I always will.”

The statements mark the latest sign of a rapprochement between the two after a summer marked by disputes and public attacks.

Trump and Musk have clashed repeatedly, trading personal insults and political threats, after the tech billionaire, owner of the X platform, said he might support candidates running against Republicans and even form a new political party called the “America Party.”

At the time, Trump warned Musk that he could face “very serious consequences” if he followed through with his plan and even suggested that he could use the Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk had led in his first months on the job, against him.

Trump signed into law, on National Day in early July, the tax cut and government spending law, which Musk has vehemently criticized.

Musk, who has become the world's richest man thanks to his Tesla car company and his SpaceX satellite firm, has spent hundreds of millions on Trump's re-election and has led the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) since the start of the president's second term to cut public spending.

Since then, the two have clashed spectacularly over disagreements over Trump's “big and beautiful” budget proposal.

Trump does not rule out a third term

The renewed relationship between Trump and Musk could have significant political and financial consequences in the run-up to the 2026 and 2028 elections. As the owner of the X platform, Musk remains one of the most influential voices in conservative media, with the potential to influence electoral contests through substantial donations.

Donald Trump on Monday weighed in on who is likely to lead the Republican Party after he leaves office, naming the US foreign minister and his vice president as the frontrunners for the presidential nomination in more than three years.

But once again, the White House leader left the door open for himself.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Japan, Trump responded to suggestions that he should run for a third term — which is unconstitutional — an idea floated recently by former White House strategist Steve Bannon.

“I'd love to do it — I have the best record in history,” Trump said when asked about Bannon's comments.

Trump added, however, that he “hasn't really considered” running again. “We have some really good people,” he said.