When Elon Musk and Donald Trump found themselves in an escalating feud, Charlie Kirk felt it was time to step in and help them bury the hatchet.
In a conversation with Megyn Kelly back in June, Kirk shared his hopes of bringing the former friends back together: “I know both guys… I’m optimistic and will do everything I can to make it happen.” Fast forward to the recent memorial service in Phoenix, and it looks like Kirk’s wish came true as Musk and Trump were seen side by side for the first time since their fallout.
During the service, the two men shook hands and exchanged a few words, a sight Kirk had long anticipated. He frequently expressed how he admired Musk, especially after Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (which Kirk called the “most significant purchase since the Louisiana purchase”).
Kirk believed that a moment of reconciliation was on the horizon, stating, “I think there will be a moment where both sides unite and realize we are stronger against the left than divided.” This sentiment resonated during the summer.
Andrew Kolvet, who produces Kirk’s podcast, even posted a photo capturing the moment Musk and Trump reunited, adding a hopeful note: “Charlie really wanted these two to get back together. I wish they were telling each other, ‘For Charlie.'”
Shortly after, Musk shared a snapshot of their meeting, captioning it with the same phrase. The White House’s X account followed suit a few hours later.
Later, when asked about the meeting on Air Force One, Trump clarified that their handshake and chat weren’t orchestrated by Kirk’s wishes but he nonetheless saw value in their discussion. “Elon approached and said hello; I thought it was nice he came over for a chat,” Trump shared. “We’ve had a good relationship, so it was pleasant to see him.”
Despite Musk’s plans to launch a third party, Kirk remained hopeful that he would reconcile with Trump, suggesting that a new party was not a direction Musk should pursue. “I believe Elon and Trump will come back to each other eventually. There’s no need for things to spiral out of control,” he noted on his podcast in July.
Kirk served as a bridge between the two, frequently reaching out to Musk. According to a CNN source, he communicated concerns about Musk’s criticisms of some of Trump’s policies, reminding him how negatively it could affect Trump’s agenda. Musk valued Kirk’s perspective.
While it appeared Musk would strike out with his political ambitions, no concrete steps for this new party have yet materialized. Lately, however, Musk has started sharing positive remarks about Trump again on social media.
Post-memorial, Musk was seen hugging Erika Kirk, Charlie’s wife. After she delivered a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Musk echoed her sentiments of forgiveness with a quote from the Lord’s Prayer, saying, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
This report includes contributions from CNN’s Kristen Holmes.
