 "US President Donald Trump met Elon Musk at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona. AP")
The world’s most powerful man and the world’s richest man have reunited. US Pr I esident Donald Trump met Elon Musk at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona.
The two men fell out earlier this year over Trump’s ‘big beautiful tax bill’, which Musk decried as grotesque and insane. Musk, who threatened to fund a third party, then accused Trump of being in the Epstein files.
Trump in turn threatened Musk’s government contracts and said the X owner could even be deported for lying to the authorities while trying to gain a visa. Trump also hinted that Musk may have some issues with mental stability and may be under the influence of drugs. Musk had previously acknowledged using ketamine.
But what did Trump and Musk speak about at Kirk’s memorial?
Let’s take a closer look.
What did they talk about?
Trump and Musk first shook hands.According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, Trump said “how are you doing” as he turned to greet Elon. Musk then shrugged.
To which Trump replied, “So Elon, I’ve heard you wanted to chat.”
“Let’s try and work out how to get back on track,” the US President added as UFC chief Dana White joined the conversation.
Musk then nodded his head. To which Trump said, “I’ve missed you.”
The White House social media account and Musk’s X account both posted images of the two men together at the memorial.
The picture was accompanied by the caption “For Charlie.”Trump, asked about the meeting later, said, “Well, Elon came over and said hello. I thought it was nice that he came over. Had a little conversation. We had a good relationship, but it was nice that he came over.”
Musk spent hundreds of millions of dollars to get Trump elected president. He also actively campaigned in the battleground states for Trump. Musk, who headed up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), left the administration in June.
‘Great American hero’
Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honour the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice-President JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.
“He’s a martyr now for America’s freedom,” Trump said in his tribute. “I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. And neither now will history.”
Kirk’s assassination at a 10 September appearance on a Utah college campus has set off a fierce debate about violence, decency and free speech in an era of deep political division.
The shooting has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to suppress the voices of his critics and political opponents.
Trump has blamed the “radical left” for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organisations and donors or others who he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk’s death.
Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers to late show host Jimmy Kimmel, have faced suspensions or lost their jobs as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment.
With inputs from agencies