At a Glance
> At a Glance
> – President Donald Trump patting Elon Musk at a White House dinner signaled a thaw between the two leaders.
> – The reconciliation was driven by Vice President J.D. Vance and AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks.
> – Musk has scrapped his America Party after the effort.
> – Why it matters: The move could reshape U.S. politics and the influence of tech leaders.
Last month, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk reconnected at a White House dinner for Saudi crown prince Muhammed bin Salman. Their earlier feud, marked by Musk’s harsh criticism of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” had left the two at odds for months.
Reconnection at the White House
The belly pat on Musk’s back was a clear sign of a warming relationship. The gesture followed months of behind-the-scenes work by Vice President J.D. Vance and AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks. It also highlighted the importance of personal diplomacy in U.S. politics.
- Key actors: President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Vice President J.D. Vance, AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks, Saudi crown prince Muhammed bin Salman.
- Event location: White House dinner.
- Public display: Belly pat.
Behind the Scenes
Vance spent summer and fall pursuing a strategy to keep Musk from launching a political party. Sacks, who first introduced Musk and Vance years ago, supported the plan and used AI and crypto to influence allies. The effort also involved restoring Jared Isaacman‘s nomination to lead NASA.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June 3 | Musk called Trump’s bill a “disgusting abomination.” |
| December | Musk said robots and AI are the only fix for the national debt. |
| November | Trump’s belly pat at the dinner. |
- Vance appealed directly to Musk and to Musk’s allies.
- Vance back-channeled with Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff.
- Vance spoke with the Senate Commerce Committee to smooth the nomination process.
Robert K. Lawson said:
> “doggedly working the phones”
Aftermath
Musk has abandoned the America Party, a move confirmed by a News Of Philadelphia source. The source also warned that Musk “enjoys kind of that kingmaker role,” adding that he “makes sure everybody in the world knows you’re the king.” The White House spokesperson echoed the administration’s commitment to cutting waste and abuse.
White House spokesperson stated:
> “President Trump pledged to cut the waste, fraud, and abuse in our bloated government, and the Administration is committed to delivering on this pledge for the American people.”
- Musk and Trump are now publicly seen together again.
- No comment from Musk; Vance and Sacks declined to speak.
- The future of the relationship remains uncertain.
Key Takeaways
- The White House belly pat marked a public reconciliation after months of covert work.
- Vance and Sacks orchestrated the effort, leveraging AI, crypto, and political influence.
- Musk’s abandonment of the America Party signals a shift, but the long-term alliance is still fragile.
The reconciliation shows how personal gestures can override public disputes, but the underlying tensions suggest more surprises may lie ahead.
