Elon Musk and Donald Trump were seen together at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 21, 2025, signaling a potential truce after their public disagreement. Their first public interaction since a dispute earlier in the year occurred at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The two shook hands and had a brief conversation at the event.
The meeting appeared to honor Charlie Kirk, who had expressed a wish for the two men to resolve their differences. Conservative commentator Benny Johnson reported that Musk told Trump, “If we don’t hang together, we will surely hang separately, so let us unite” (The Daily Beast). Video analysis by lip-readers suggested Trump initiated the exchange, telling Musk he had “missed” him and that they should work to get back on track. Both men later posted photos of their meeting with the caption “For Charlie.”
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Trump confirmed the meeting to reporters, stating, “Well, Elon came over and said hello. I thought it was nice. He came over, we had a little conversation. We had a very good relationship, but it was nice that he came over.”
The memorial honored Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Kirk had previously stated his hope for a “peace treaty moment” between Musk and Trump, believing their cooperation was more effective.
The summer disagreement and fallout
The rift between Musk and Trump became public during the summer of 2025. It started after Musk criticized Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a tax and spending plan he described as “utterly insane and destructive.” Following his comments, Musk resigned from his advisory role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the Trump administration.
The conflict escalated on social media. Musk made several accusations against Trump and declared his intent to form a new political party. In response, the Trump administration suggested it might review government contracts with Musk’s companies. This public dispute between the two prominent figures drew significant media attention over the summer.
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While the handshake at Kirk’s memorial indicates a pause in their conflict, the long-term status of their relationship remains unclear. There has been no official statement about Musk possibly rejoining the administration in his advisory capacity. For now, the public gesture of reconciliation appears to be a tribute to their shared acquaintance, Charlie Kirk.
The future of their political and professional alliance is not yet determined.
