'Credit where credit is due': Elon Musk praises Trump, a day after threatening to form a new party

In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk on Wednesday credited US President Donald Trump for helping broker a 60-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, even as their political feud deepened over a controversial spending bill.

“Credit where credit is due,” Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing Trump’s statement about his representatives’ efforts to secure the ceasefire. “@realDonaldTrump has successfully resolved several serious conflicts around the world,” he added.

Trump, in his post, said, “My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War... I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”



While the post marked a rare moment of acknowledgment from Musk, it came just hours after tensions between the two escalated, notably after the President dropped a deportation threat.

Musk, once Trump’s top political donor and appointee to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has publicly threatened to launch a rival political party and fund challenges against Republican lawmakers who back Trump’s flagship spending legislation, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

Trump, 79, responded with a series of retaliatory remarks, telling reporters en route to a new migrant detention center in Florida that he might consider revoking Musk’s U.S. citizenship and federal contracts. “We’ll have to take a look,” Trump said when asked about deporting Musk, who has been a U.S. citizen since 2002.

He also suggested that government contracts with SpaceX and Starlink could be in jeopardy. “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump said, later adding: “I don’t think he should be playing that game with me.”

Reacting to a clip of Trump’s comments, Musk posted, “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”


Tesla shares dropped nearly 5% following the threats.

Trump earlier accused Musk of turning against the bill after it dropped EV-related provisions. “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” he posted on Truth Social.