In a recent appearance on the newly launched podcast "Pod Force One with Miranda Devine," former President Donald Trump expressed openness to reconciling with tech magnate Elon Musk. This development follows a public disagreement between the two influential figures over a contentious government spending bill. The interview, which aired on June 11, 2025, provided Trump with a platform to address the rift and discuss the future of the nation.
The dispute originated with Musk's role as the head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he was charged with reducing federal spending by $2 trillion. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO left the post after voicing strong opposition to the bill, which aims to extend aspects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while increasing border security and defense funding. Despite its passage in the House on May 22, the bill has been criticized for potentially exacerbating the nation's already staggering $36 trillion debt, as reported by Fox News.
Musk's dissent became public on June 3 when he lambasted the bill on social media, labeling it as "massive, outrageous, pork-filled" and shaming its supporters. Tensions escalated when Musk alluded to Trump's alleged connections with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Despite the acrimony, Trump maintained a composed stance during the interview, expressing disappointment but acknowledging that disagreements are part of the political landscape.
When probed about the possibility of mending their partnership, Trump responded pragmatically, emphasizing his commitment to elevating the country's status. "I guess I could," Trump said, "but we have to straighten out the country. And my sole function now is getting this country back to a level higher than it’s ever been. And I think we can do that."
Musk, for his part, showed signs of remorse, retracting some of his statements about Trump in a subsequent social media post, noting that they "went too far." Trump, in turn, welcomed Musk's apology, describing it as "very nice" in comments to the New York Post.
The "Pod Force One" podcast, hosted by Miranda Devine, an acclaimed New York Post columnist, offers candid conversations with key players in American politics and culture. Trump seized the opportunity to advocate for the spending bill during the interview, asserting its potential to rapidly transform the economy for the common good. "This bill is going to turn around this country so fast your head will spin, and it’s good for everyone," he claimed.
The clash between Trump and Musk underscores the intricate task of aligning fiscal responsibility with politico-economic imperatives, especially when strong personalities and public scrutiny are at play. Nonetheless, Trump's willingness to engage in reconciliation suggests a pragmatic approach focused on common objectives rather than personal disputes.
As the bill advances through the Senate, observers will be watching closely to see how this public disagreement shapes the political dialogue and whether Trump and Musk can reconcile their differences and collaborate on future initiatives.
