Overview

• In a Tuesday-recorded interview, President Donald Trump said Elon Musk "has no choice" but to realign with Republicans and called him "80% super genius" and "20%" problems.
• Musk said he was invited to Thursday’s Rose Garden tech reception but would not attend and would send a representative in his place.
• Vice President J.D. Vance and other GOP figures have publicly signaled they want Musk back in the fold, framing him as an important ally.
• The rift began when Musk denounced Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" over deficit concerns, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating a $3.4 trillion increase in the 2025–2034 deficit.
• Trump previously threatened to revoke contracts and subsidies tied to Musk’s companies, while Musk floated an "America Party" that reporting says has not taken formal steps.