In a stunning flip of occasions, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly addressed his relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk throughout a graduation speech on the College of Alabama on Could 1, 2025. Whereas initially praising Musk, Trump adopted with a veiled jab on the tech billionaire, additional complicating their already dynamic public historical past.
The remarks got here simply days after Musk formally stepped again from his energetic presence within the White Home, shifting focus again to Tesla and different enterprise operations. The feedback, delivered in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd, come amid broader political narratives involving tech leaders, authorities collaboration, and evolving media methods.
Donald Trump takes a refined dig at Elon Musk following White Home exit
Through the commencement ceremony on the College of Alabama, President Trump delivered a speech that ranged from coverage accomplishments to private anecdotes. One notable part addressed tech trade figures, whom he known as “web folks.” Trump highlighted the shift in sentiment amongst Silicon Valley elites, claiming they’d transitioned from opposing him throughout his first time period to now providing assist.
“Elon is so terrific,” Trump started, earlier than pivoting to a extra confrontational tone: “All of them hated me in my first time period, and now they’re kissing my a$$.”
“You realize… it’s true. All of them. It’s true,” President mentioned.
The assertion drew loud cheers from the viewers however was seen by many analysts as a thinly veiled jab at Musk, who had not too long ago concluded his casual advisory function throughout the White Home.
Musk’s departure from the White Home
Earlier within the week, it was reported that Elon Musk had vacated his momentary workspace on the White Home, marking a shift in his advisory involvement. Whereas Musk was not formally a part of Trump’s administration, he had been ceaselessly consulted on subjects starting from area coverage to rising applied sciences. In keeping with White Home Chief of Employees Susie Wiles, Musk’s withdrawal shouldn’t be an entire departure.
“He’s not out of it altogether. He’s simply not bodily current as a lot as he was,” Wiles acknowledged in an interview with the New York Put up. “As a substitute of assembly in particular person, the president now speaks with him over the cellphone.”
Musk as soon as ‘begged’ for assist, Trump claims
Trump and Musk have a protracted and fluctuating historical past of public interactions marked by each criticism and camaraderie. In 2022, Musk prompt Trump was too previous for an additional presidential time period and advisable that he “sail into the sundown.” Trump responded harshly, alleging that Musk was overly reliant on authorities subsidies and claiming that Musk had as soon as sought his political assist for enterprise advantages.
In a Reality Social submit, Trump wrote, “When Elon Musk got here to the White Home asking me for assistance on all of his many sponsored initiatives… with out which subsidies he’d be nugatory… I may have mentioned, ‘drop to your knees and beg,’ and he would have performed it.”
Regardless of such clashes, the 2 finally mended ties. Musk turned a frequent presence at White Home discussions and was seen attending conferences sporting symbolic gear corresponding to a cap labeled “Gulf of America.”
Strategic use of media and rhetoric
Trump’s public commentary on Musk matches inside a broader sample of his media technique. By alternating between reward and provocation, Trump maintains management over narratives involving highly effective people and industries. His remarks about Musk had been delivered amid statements on broader points like transgender participation in sports activities and systemic reform, linking particular person anecdotes to his overarching political themes.
This technique serves twin functions: energizing his supporter base whereas reminding influential allies of their dependency on favorable political alliances. The method mirrors techniques utilized in earlier campaigns and speeches.