BREAKING: Elon Musk admits regret for Trump attacks in big, beautiful ‘backtrack’

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, issued a rare public apology on Tuesday, expressing regret for recent inflammatory posts aimed at former President Donald Trump. The comments mark a significant shift in tone from the tech billionaire, who last week launched an unusually sharp series of social media attacks against the GOP frontrunner and former ally.

“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” Musk posted on his social media platform, X, late Tuesday morning.

The statement follows several days of escalating tensions between Musk and Trump, culminating in Musk accusing the former president of withholding information related to Jeffrey Epstein and calling for his impeachment—remarks that have since been deleted.

The relationship between Musk and Trump has long been complex. Musk served on White House advisory councils during Trump’s presidency but broke with the administration in 2017 over the decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. In recent years, the two figures occasionally praised one another, with Musk even indicating support for some of Trump’s economic policies.

That détente appeared to collapse last week when Musk unleashed a flurry of critical posts. Among them, he alleged that Trump was “compromised” and unfit to return to office, and questioned the former president’s moral integrity. The public spat intensified speculation about Musk’s political allegiances, particularly ahead of the 2024 U.S. general election.

Musk has previously donated to both Republican and Democratic candidates but has increasingly aligned himself with libertarian and conservative voices on issues such as free speech, artificial intelligence, and government regulation.

After issuing the apology, Musk removed several posts that had drawn widespread attention and criticism. He also shared and liked posts from Trump’s Truth Social account, including a campaign message in which the former president touted his achievements in office.

The moves appear to be a strategic about-face. Analysts say the billionaire’s attempt to deescalate may be driven in part by financial and political calculations. Tesla’s stock dipped last week amid concerns that Musk’s erratic behavior could affect federal relationships and future contracts. The company is preparing to launch its highly anticipated robotaxi program this summer, which will likely depend on regulatory approval and public trust.

“There’s no doubt this is a reset,” said tech industry analyst Maria Gutierrez. “Musk’s businesses are entering new territory that requires more political stability and less public drama. That apology wasn’t just about Trump—it was about Wall Street and Washington.”

While Trump has yet to offer a full public statement in response to Musk’s apology, he briefly addressed the matter at a campaign event in Florida on Tuesday evening.

“I wish him well—very well,” Trump said. “Elon’s a smart guy. He gets it.”

Privately, aides to the former president said Trump was surprised by Musk’s reversal but was inclined to move past the episode, particularly if Musk continues to signal support for the GOP’s 2024 platform.

Musk’s public backtrack has drawn a mixed response. Critics accused him of opportunism, while supporters praised the move as a sign of maturity and restraint.

“This is classic Musk—say something explosive, pull back, then shift the conversation,” said political strategist Lauren Everett. “But when you’re someone with this much influence over both technology and public discourse, every post matters.”

As both Trump and President Joe Biden prepare for what is expected to be a contentious election rematch, endorsements and signals from influential public figures like Musk could play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions.

With his apology issued and the offensive posts removed, Musk appears poised to reset his public political stance. Whether Trump chooses to welcome him back into the fold—or keep him at a distance—remains to be seen.

For now, Musk has offered a message that is at once conciliatory and calculated: a “big, beautiful” backtrack aimed at repairing reputational damage without undermining his public image as a maverick.