Trump And Musk Reunite, Turn Bitter Feud Into $100 Million Republican Push

US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have moved to repair their once-fractured relationship, with Musk now planning to put at least $100 million behind Republican efforts in the November midterm elections. The renewed political alignment marks a significant turnaround from their bitter public feud and could have implications for the Republican Party's effort to retain control of Congress. Musk's planned spending is expected to focus on voter turnout in key states rather than making him as publicly prominent as he was during the 2024 election campaign.

The relationship appeared to begin thawing during a May flight to Beijing aboard Air Force One. Musk joined Trump, members of the president's family, cabinet officials and business leaders on the long-haul trip to China. According to people familiar with the flight, the atmosphere between the two men was notably more cordial than during their highly publicised confrontation. Musk discussed plans for additional factories in the United States, while Trump spoke about a space launch he had recently watched and asked about one of Musk's young sons. Musk also reminisced with White House advisers about his involvement in Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.

The rapprochement represents a dramatic shift from the breakdown that had threatened one of the most unusual political relationships of Trump's second term. Musk had once been among Trump's closest political allies and became deeply involved in the administration's efforts to cut government spending. Their relationship later deteriorated into a public dispute, with disagreements over policy, government contracts and Musk's role in Washington. The feud escalated sharply before the two sides began making efforts to restore communication. According to people familiar with the relationship, Trump and Musk now speak roughly once a month and discuss subjects including artificial intelligence, China and international affairs.

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Musk's decision to support Republicans financially is central to the renewed alliance. People familiar with his plans said he intends to contribute at least $100 million to America PAC, the political group he established to support Trump and Republican candidates. The money is expected to finance a get-out-the-vote operation aimed at turning Trump supporters into voters in the midterm elections, particularly in competitive states. America PAC is expected to coordinate with MAGA Inc., Trump's principal super PAC, which already has substantial financial resources. Musk has previously spent nearly $300 million during the 2024 election cycle supporting Trump and other Republicans.

The renewed political cooperation could benefit both Trump and Musk. Republicans face the prospect of difficult congressional contests in the midterms, when control of the House and Senate will be at stake. For Trump, retaining Republican control of Congress would reduce the likelihood of extensive Democratic investigations into his administration and family. Musk, meanwhile, has significant business interests that depend on government relationships and contracts, particularly through SpaceX. A Republican-controlled Congress could therefore be viewed as more favourable to both men's political and business interests.

Despite the reconciliation, Musk appears determined to maintain a lower political profile than during the 2024 campaign and his subsequent government role. He has acknowledged that he became too involved in politics and has indicated that he was "carried away". The billionaire has also largely abandoned the idea of creating a new political party, a proposal that gained momentum during his dispute with Trump. The emerging arrangement instead points to a more limited but potentially powerful role: financial backing and voter mobilisation for Republicans while avoiding the highly visible political involvement that contributed to his previous clash with Trump.

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