Elon Musk recently shared a photograph of himself dining with former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, stirring up controversy due to their tumultuous relationship. The dinner, described by Musk as “lovely,” was a surprising development given their earlier public disagreements. Just months prior, Musk had accused Trump of being included in the Epstein files, a claim that has resurfaced in online discussions following the recent gathering.
Musk posted the image on X, captioned, “Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS. 2026 is going to be amazing!” The post quickly attracted attention and criticism, as many users recalled Musk’s earlier statements regarding Trump’s alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
History of Tension Between Musk and Trump
The relationship between Musk and Trump has been fraught with tension since early 2017, when Musk was appointed as a special adviser to the president. Their collaboration deteriorated after disagreements over a spending bill, which Musk publicly criticized. Trump later announced on his platform Truth Social that he had asked Musk to step down from his advisory role, stating that Musk was “wearing thin.” Trump also claimed he terminated Musk’s Electric Vehicle Mandate, which he suggested was not widely supported.
In June 2025, Musk escalated the feud by tweeting that Trump was “in the Epstein files,” suggesting that this was the reason those documents had not been made public. He later deleted the tweet, but the damage was done, with many interpreting his remarks as a serious accusation.
Public Reaction to the Dinner
Following Musk’s recent post, critics quickly resurfaced the screenshots of his earlier tweet. Responses ranged from incredulity to mockery, with many questioning his sudden shift in tone. One user asked, “So you dined with someone you said is in the Epstein files????” Others noted the apparent contradiction in Musk’s actions, highlighting that just months ago, he had publicly accused Trump of serious wrongdoing.
The backlash highlights the complexities of Musk’s public persona, as he navigates relationships with influential political figures. Journalist Mehdi Hasan remarked, “He basically accused Trump of being a pedophile just months ago and is now back to sucking up to him because it’s an election year.”
Public health scientist Eric Feigl-Ding also commented on the situation, stating, “Just months ago, Musk reminded everyone that Trump is in the Epstein files. Today he’s fluffing Trump on Twitter. Business must be desperate.”
As discussions continue online, it remains to be seen how this dinner will affect Musk’s reputation and business ventures in the coming years. With the 2026 elections approaching, the implications of such high-profile interactions could be significant for both Musk and Trump.
