WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Elon Musk is returning to Trump’s public orbit after their bitter dispute over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
  • A former administration official dismissed the feud as “Water under the bridge.”
  • Musk has recently attended White House events and pledged financial support for Republican candidates in the 2026 midterm elections.
  • Trump awarded Musk the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for scientific and technological achievement.

Elon Musk is prepared to receive the National Medal of Science from President Donald Trump, marking a striking return to the administration’s fold after the pair’s explosive public falling out last year. Several sources familiar with their relationship described the feud as effectively finished.

“Water under the bridge,” one former administration official told Fox News Digital while discussing the rupture and subsequent reconciliation between Trump and Musk. The assessment captures a dramatic political reunion following months of insults, accusations, and distance from the White House.

Musk rose rapidly within the MAGA movement during the 2024 presidential election. After Trump won another term, Musk joined the administration and led efforts to cut the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

During that period, Musk and Trump enjoyed a friendly public relationship. Trump even presented the Tesla, SpaceX, and X chief executive with a ceremonial golden key to the White House during an Oval Office celebration.

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The alliance began to crack after Musk left the government in May 2025, following four months leading DOGE. Musk was reportedly at odds with Trump over government spending in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Musk believed conflicted with DOGE’s campaign against wasteful spending.

On June 3, 2025, Musk attacked the legislation on X, the social media platform he owns, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” He escalated his opposition the next day with a blunt demand: “KILL THE BILL.”

Trump responded through his own social media account, saying Musk had been “wearing thin” on him. Trump also said Musk went “CRAZY” after the administration rolled back what it characterized as a Biden-era “backdoor electric vehicle mandate.”

Musk then argued that Trump could not have won the 2024 election without his financial backing and accused the president of “ingratitude.” Through America PAC, Musk helped support Trump and other Republican candidates with nearly $300 million.

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The dispute turned even uglier when Musk accused Trump of appearing in the infamous Epstein files, although Musk never produced proof for the allegation. At that point, one former White House official told Fox News Digital that Musk had been completely removed from the White House fold.

“He wasn’t in the office at all,” the source said. Musk had previously used office space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building alongside other White House staff, making his absence a visible sign of how sharply the relationship had deteriorated.

Still, the former official said rebuilding old relationships is consistent with Trump’s nature, regardless of how nasty the original dispute became. Trump and his longtime personal attorney, Michael Cohen, revived their old friendship in September despite their own major falling out.

Cohen had testified against Trump during the 2024 “hush money” trial involving adult entertainer Stormy Daniels. His renewed contact with Trump provided another example of the president restoring a relationship after a bitter and highly public feud.

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A third source familiar with the matter said Musk began returning to Trump’s good graces earlier this year. A current administration official, however, disputed the idea that Musk had ever been fully pushed out of the White House orbit.

According to that official, Musk has recently been seen at the White House in part because he is following through on promises to financially support Republican candidates in the 2026 midterm elections. His presence has become increasingly prominent rather than merely private or occasional.

Musk attended the America.gov launch in late September with engineers from the National Design Studio who built the SI-powered website. He later appeared at Trump’s state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping and was seated at the president’s table.

The reconciliation now moves into unmistakably public territory, with Trump awarding Musk the National Medal of Science on Thursday afternoon. The honor is described as the nation’s top award for scientific and technological achievement.

“The Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology. These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News Digital about the award.

Musk also arrived at Trump’s New Golden Age Summit at the Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., ahead of the expected ceremony. After a spectacular political blowup, the golden key recipient is once again appearing near the center of Trump’s operation.

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