A somber occasion becomes the backdrop for a thaw in relations between former allies, fulfilling the wish of the late conservative icon, Charlie Kirk.
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk put aside their bitter public feud to sit together and talk amicably at the memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on Sunday. The event, held at State Farm Stadium, brought the two influential figures together for the first time since their high-profile falling out over the “reconciliation package” signed into law in July.
The unexpected reunion was captured on video and in a photo that showed the President and the tech mogul shaking hands, a scene that many supporters of the late activist are calling a “miracle.” The reconciliation comes just months after a heated exchange of insults on social media and Musk’s threat to start a third political party in response to government spending.
The feud originated from Musk’s criticism of the reconciliation bill signed by President Trump.
Kirk, a close ally of the President, had publicly expressed hope that the two men would reconcile, a sentiment he articulated on his show just days before his tragic passing. He drew parallels to the patched-up relationship between President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had fiercely competed during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.
“It’s all part of the Trump story. Sometimes things get very heated and then there’s a reconciliation—there’s a rapprochement,” Kirk had said, noting that President Trump now describes his relationship with Governor DeSantis as a “ten.”
Musk, who once led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, stepped down from his role after the policy disagreement. The Department had reportedly identified over $200 billion in savings since its inception.
The sight of President Trump and Musk together, united in mourning, seemed to honor Kirk’s legacy and his desire to see them work collaboratively. In a post on X, Musk shared a photo of the reunion with a simple, poignant caption: “For Charlie.”
READ: Forgiveness In Grief: Erika Kirk Forgives Husband’s Alleged Assassin
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