In a moment that left many people raising their eyebrows, Elon Musk—the billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X—has offered rare praise to former U.S. President Donald Trump. This came right in the middle of a very public disagreement between the two, especially over Trump’s latest comments on deporting undocumented immigrants.
The drama began to unfold as Trump ramped up his election campaign with fiery speeches promising mass deportations if he returns to the White House. Musk, who is known for being outspoken, didn’t stay silent. As an immigrant himself and a strong advocate for open immigration, he criticized Trump’s statements, calling them “divisive” and a threat to the kind of innovation that built the U.S. tech industry.
But just when things seemed completely hostile between them, Musk posted something unexpected. In a post on X, he admitted that while he disagrees with Trump on several issues, he still believes Trump had a special ability to manage international tensions and resolve high-stakes conflicts. “You may disagree with him on many fronts,” Musk wrote, “but when it came to diffusing high-tension international standoffs and trade disputes, Trump had a unique ability to de-escalate and find leverage.”
This comment surprised many because Musk hasn’t exactly been soft on Trump lately. Still, it showed a side of him that’s willing to separate political disagreement from objective credit. It was one of those rare moments in public life where someone openly says, “I don’t like everything you stand for, but I can still respect something you did well.”
People on social media had mixed reactions. Some saw it as a smart and honest take, proof that two powerful figures can disagree without completely dismissing each other. Others, however, called it contradictory. Critics questioned how Musk could condemn Trump’s harsh immigration stance while still offering compliments. One user even replied, “You can’t have it both ways, Elon.”
The relationship between Musk and Trump has always been complicated. They’ve worked together before—Musk served on several of Trump’s advisory boards during his presidency—but have also clashed when their values didn’t align. Musk left those boards in protest when Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Since then, their interactions have bounced between mutual admiration and public criticism.
This latest exchange reflects more than just a clash between two high-profile individuals. It also shows the kind of messy, unpredictable dialogue that happens when business, politics, and personal values collide. Musk’s message wasn’t about endorsing Trump’s campaign or agreeing with his policies—it was about being able to recognize strength even in someone you’re currently at odds with.
At a time when public figures are expected to be all in or all out, Musk’s words added a little gray to the usual black-and-white narrative. And whether people liked it or not, it sparked a bigger conversation about how we talk about leadership, disagreement, and the ability to give credit where it’s due.