Overview
- At a White House Cabinet meeting, Trump said he was unsure whether Elon Musk is back in his inner circle but added, “I like Elon a lot.”
- Trump cited electric-vehicle policy as a turning point in their relationship after praising Musk’s 2024 endorsement and campaign support.
- Earlier in his term, Musk served as a special government employee helping lead the Department of Government Efficiency, with his tenure ending in late May.
- In June, Musk publicly ridiculed the One Big Beautiful Bill on X, while Trump signed resolutions rolling back California’s EV sales mandates and diesel rules.
- Public interactions resumed in recent months, including sitting together at Charlie Kirk’s September memorial and Musk attending a Nov. 18 White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.