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Last Updated:November 20, 2025, 09:26 IST

Donald Trump reignites his fight with Elon Musk at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, while Musk thanks Trump on X after their current White House supper with Mohammed bin Salman.

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Trump reignites fight with Musk at US-Saudi Investment Forum.

Musk thanks Trump on X after White House supper with bin Salman.

Musk’s allies prepare reunion celebration in Austin this weekend.

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Hours after signalling a thaw with Billionaire Elon Musk, President Donald Trump followed up with a pointed quip focused on the Tesla chief, riffing on their months-long fight.

While speaking in his common freewheeling design at US-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump consistently referenced favours he declared to have actually encompassed Musk throughout the billionaire’s short stint as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

“Has he ever thanked me for that appropriately?” Trump asked the audience, before returning to the point minutes later.

Using part of his remarks to explain a tax credit linked to electric vehicle purchases, Trump said he benefited middle-class buyers.

“Even people that go buy a car, they’ve never had this,” he stated. He then drifted into a wider remark about reductions. “You understand, middle-income individuals do not understand what the word reduction is. They do not understand. This space, they survive on reductions. Me too. Just how much of a reduction do I get? All of us survive on it,” Trump added.

He further claimed that his administration was offering the “middle class a deduction on the interest if they buy one of a nice Tesla car and they borrow the money.”

He stopped briefly, looked towards Musk and duplicated, “You’re so fortunate. I’m with you, Elon.” Moments later, he joked, “Although I do let him buy other-than-electric cars, but these are minor details.”

After Trump’s remark, Musk composed on X, “I wish to thank President Trump for all he has actually provided for America and the world.”

This comes after Musk attended a White House dinner with Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking their second joint appearance since their public rift erupted earlier this year.

Musk backed Trump in the previous election and later headed the Department of Government Efficiency, where he oversaw cuts in federal spending and staffing.

However, their relationship deteriorated quickly after Musk denounced Trump’s expansive tax-and-spending plan as reckless and announced plans to form a new political party. In retaliation, Trump warned that federal aid supporting Musk’s companies could be withdrawn.

Reportedly, Musk’s escalating remarks damaged Tesla’s reputation and negatively impacted sales and stock performance. Since then, the two have largely kept their distance, appearing together publicly only once, a brief handshake at a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September.

Meanwhile, according to a New York Times report, Musk’s allies are planning a big party to celebrate the billionaire’s time working with Trump. The report noted that dozens of people who had worked with Musk in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency are set to gather in Austin this weekend for a reunion.

Musk is also expected to attend the event, though his plans could yet change, the publication reported, quoting a source.

The two-day event will be held at a high-end hotel where Musk often holes up in a suite and are organised by DOGE leaders, it added.

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