Trump and Musk were seen sitting next to each other and then shaking hands during the service for Charlie Kirk.
President Donald Trump provided more details on his meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Sept. 21.
While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said that he was happy that Musk met with him at the service, months after Musk left the White House before engaging in a public spat with the administration that primarily played out on social media.
Trump and Musk were seen sitting next to one another before shaking hands at State Farm Arena in Glendale, Arizona, during the service.
“Well, Elon came over and said hello. No, it’s nothing to do with that,” Trump told reporters when he was asked whether Kirk brought them together.
“I thought it was nice, he came over, we had a little conversation,” Trump told reporters, without elaborating on the nature of what was said during their meeting.
Both Musk and the White House postedimages on social media of their reunion with the caption “For Charlie.”
For Charlie pic.twitter.com/8092jIt319
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 21, 2025
Musk served as a special government employee in the Trump administration, helping lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) before he departed in May. But over the summer, the Tesla CEO became highly critical of a Trump- and Republican-backed spending bill that he said would increase government spending.
Later, Musk said that he would create his own party, the America Party, in an attempt to provide an alternative to Republicans and Democrats. So far, there have been no official signs that the party is being formed.
The president also signaled at one point during their spat that he would terminate federal contracts for Musk’s companies and said Musk was unhappy with how the bill handled electric vehicle subsidies.
Over the summer, Kirk told Megyn Kelly that he was optimistic that Trump and Musk would reconcile, saying that he knew “both of them quite well” and that they are “much stronger together.”
Andrew Kolvet, the producer of Kirk’s podcast, posted a photo of Musk and Trump at the memorial on, writing: “Charlie so badly wanted these two men to come back together. I hope they’re saying to each other, ‘For Charlie.’”
Charlie so badly wanted these two men to come back together. I hope they’re saying to each other, “For Charlie.” pic.twitter.com/Pxw3FLkGPb
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) September 21, 2025
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 inspired by the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder.
“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.”
In his speech, Vance said, “For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet defending the United States of America and defending the truth than it is to die on our knees.”
Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10 while he was holding a campus debate event. The suspect in the case has been identified as Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with capital aggravated murder and other charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
