Kathmandu— Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have reportedly reconciled after a falling out in 2025, with Musk planning to donate at least $100 million to Republican efforts for the upcoming midterm elections. The renewed relationship follows nearly a year of private outreach and mediation by mutual associates, culminating in friendly interactions during a recent trip to China. Despite initial tensions stemming from disagreements over Trump’s economic policies, Musk is now poised to support Republicans in retaining control of Congress through a substantial voter-turnout operation. This shift comes as Democrats currently hold an advantage in national polls and President Trump faces declining approval ratings.

A Year of Estrangement

The rift between Musk and Trump emerged in mid-2025 when Musk publicly criticized the president’s proposed tax and spending package, deeming it “utterly insane and destructive.” This came despite Musk's significant involvement in supporting Trump during the 2024 election cycle, where he reportedly spent at least $288 million backing the President and other Republican candidates. Following his victory, Trump appointed Musk to lead the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Reconciliation Efforts Gain Traction

The path back to a working relationship involved nearly a year of behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Private phone calls, invitations to Mar-a-Lago, and a White House dinner were all part of the effort to ease tensions. The memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk provided a brief opportunity for Trump and Musk to speak, reportedly facilitated by Kirk himself who sought reconciliation between the two men. Vice President J.D. Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles also played key roles, reaching out to Musk after the initial fallout and maintaining consistent contact with him and his allies.

Air Force One Signals a Thaw

The apparent thaw in relations became visible during Trump’s May trip to Beijing. Musk joined the president aboard Air Force One alongside Cabinet officials, business leaders, and family members. Witnesses on the flight described a friendly atmosphere, with Musk discussing plans for new US factories while Trump inquired about a space-launch video and one of Musk's sons. During this journey, Musk informed Trump of his intention to invest at least $100 million in a voter-turnout operation aimed at supporting Republicans in the November midterm elections.

Strategic Considerations

Sources indicate that Vance viewed Musk as too valuable to alienate, given SpaceX’s substantial defense and NASA contracts. Musk himself reportedly abandoned plans to form a new political party, partly to maintain ties with Vance, who is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate. While the relationship isn't expected to fully return to its previous closeness, Trump and Musk are now speaking roughly once a month, discussing topics such as artificial intelligence, China, and global events.

The renewed alliance between Musk and Trump arrives at a critical juncture for Republicans, who currently trail in national polls ahead of the midterm elections. The impact of Musk’s financial commitment on the outcome remains to be seen.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.