Elon Musk and Donald Trump Rekindle Ties Amid Controversial $300 Million White House Project

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk appears to be back in Donald Trump’s good books, signaling a possible revival of their alliance ahead of next year’s U.S. midterm elections. This comes despite Musk declining to contribute to Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom project, which has drawn criticism for potential ethics violations.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump revealed that he has been in contact with Musk and that the two have spoken “on and off” since attending conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s memorial last month. “He’s a nice guy and a very capable guy. I’ve always liked him,” Trump said, referring to Musk’s earlier criticism as a “bad moment” in his life.

Their falling out earlier this year had been public and intense. Musk, who had briefly served as a government efficiency advisor, condemned Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” as a “disgusting abomination,” accusing it of worsening the national debt. The feud escalated when Musk alleged Trump appeared in the Epstein Files and even called for his impeachment—a move that Trump’s allies called “crossing the Rubicon.”

Now, however, the frost appears to be thawing. Musk’s potential return to Trump’s circle is seen as politically valuable, given his influence and massive online reach through X (formerly Twitter). Analysts say his backing could significantly sway Republican fundraising and voter outreach.

Meanwhile, Trump’s lavish ballroom construction—funded by major corporations like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Palantir—has sparked bipartisan scrutiny. Critics, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, have warned that private donations to presidential projects risk turning governance into “pay-for-play politics.”

Despite the controversy, Trump claimed to have raised $350 million, including his own contributions, for the project. Whether Musk ultimately joins the donor list—or Trump’s campaign—remains to be seen, but their renewed camaraderie is already reshaping Republican dynamics ahead of 2026.