Last Updated:September 22, 2025, 07:16 IST
Elon Musk and Donald Trump sat briefly next to each other and were captured talking, for the first time in months since they fell out.

US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk shake hands during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (IMAGE: AFP)
US President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were seen sitting next to each other, shaking hands and have a short chat at the memorial for right-wing activist and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Musk even went on to share on X a picture of him and the US President sat next to each other captioned: “For Charlie".
Video of the two sharing a handshake was shared by the official White House account on social media platform X, which Musk owns.
The White House also shared photos of the two sitting next to each other and engaged in a conversation.
Musk poured more than $270 million into Trump’s presidential bid, campaigning with him across battleground states and boosting the Republican’s chances.
Once Trump took office, Musk was front and centre in pushing through the DOGE – the Department of Government Efficiency – a controversial programme that axed thousands of federal jobs the agency claimed were part of a pattern of waste, fraud and abuse.
But the alliance did not last. Musk broke ranks over Trump’s flagship tax-and-spend bill, dismissing it as “utterly insane and destructive." The fallout grew sharper when Musk declared he would launch his own “America First" party – a move that has so far remained more promise than reality.
On Sunday, Trump paid tribute to slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, calling him “a giant of his generation" during the large memorial event steeped in Christian themes.
At 79, Trump described Kirk as “above all a devoted husband, father, son, Christian and patriot," adding that “he was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice. For God and country. For reason and for common sense."
The service drew remarkable attention and heavy security. Tens of thousands gathered, joined by the top brass of Trump’s administration. Some US outlets even compared the memorial to a state funeral.
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...
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Location :
Glendale, Arizona, US
First Published:
September 22, 2025, 07:02 IST
News world Donald Trump & Elon Musk Chat, Shake Hands At Charlie Kirk's Funeral, Months After Falling Out
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