Donald Trump Joked, Elon Musk Responded: Tech Billionaire Thanks POTUS On X For 'All He Has Done'

In the high-stakes theatre of American politics, few dramas have been as explosive as the clash between the world's richest man and the Commander-in-Chief. For months, the relationship between the two titans has been defined by digital warfare and public snubbing. Yet, in a twist that has captivated Washington, the ice has finally broken. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has extended a formal thank you to President Donald Trump, signalling a definitive end to their acrimonious and very public political feud.

The Public Reconciliation of Elon Musk and Donald Trump

The reconciliation was solidified just one day after Musk attended an exclusive White House dinner, but it was a moment during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum on 19 November that truly sealed the peace. The backdrop for this reunion was not accidental; reports confirm that Musk and the Saudi Crown Prince are negotiating a massive partnership to build a 500-megawatt AI data centre in the Kingdom, a deal that aligns perfectly with the Trump administration's new 'AI Action Plan' to secure American technological dominance.

While addressing the crowd about his administration's economic achievements, President Trump discussed the 'Big Beautiful Bill', a sweeping government spending plan that notably includes deductions for domestically manufactured vehicles.

In a moment of characteristic showmanship, Trump pointed directly at Musk in the audience. 'You are so lucky I am with you, Elon', he quipped, drawing laughter from the room before posing a pointed question: 'Has he ever thanked me properly?'

Musk did not miss the cue. Following the remarks, the Tesla CEO responded on X with a clear and public message of appreciation. 'I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world', he posted. The message was accompanied by photos from the event, which featured Musk alongside global heavyweights such as Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

How the 'Big Beautiful Bill' Sparked a Political Firestorm

Musk's attendance at the event signalled a significant thaw in relations, which had been in a deep freeze since his exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on 30 May. The friction was not merely personal but deeply policy-driven. The feud escalated dramatically when Musk publicly criticised the 'Big Beautiful Bill', viewing it as a betrayal of fiscal responsibility that directly undermined the cost-cutting mandates he had been appointed to implement.

In a statement that reverberated through the West Wing, Musk wrote, 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination'. These comments reportedly damaged his standing in the Trump White House, alienating him from the administration he had once engaged with.

From 'Train Wreck' to White House Guest

The tension reached its nadir in July, when Musk announced the formation of his new American Party, a direct challenge following his criticism of Congress's passage of Trump's domestic policy bill. The move provoked a blistering response from the President, who took to Truth Social to publicly call Musk a 'train wreck' who had gone 'off the rails'. The fallout had tangible consequences for Musk's empire as well; analysts noted that the political instability and the President's threats to withdraw federal subsidies contributed to a volatile period for Tesla's stock and brand image, creating a strong incentive for a truce.

For the remainder of the summer, the two power players remained at odds, with the political world watching to see if the bridge was burned forever. However, the first signs of a truce appeared when the two exchanged brief words at right-wing conservative Charlie Kirk's memorial service. That sombre occasion seemingly paved the way for the recent White House dinner, proving that in the world of Elon Musk and Donald Trump, the only certainty is unpredictability.

With the 'Big Beautiful Bill' now law and a massive Saudi AI partnership on the horizon, the alliance between the White House and Silicon Valley's most unpredictable mogul appears back in business. As their interests realign, the 'train wreck' seems to have been put back on the tracks—at least for now. However, given the volatile history between these two commanding figures, Washington remains on high alert for the next twist in the tale.