Trump and Musk Appear Together in RFK Jr's Thanksgiving Photo Signaling Potential Reconciliation

The photograph displays Donald Trump and Elon Musk seated together on the same side of a table during a Thanksgiving gathering.

Washington:

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr recently shared a Thanksgiving lunch photograph on social media platform X, featuring himself alongside President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. The image has reignited discussions about the evolving relationship between Trump and Musk.

The photograph, taken at an undisclosed location, notably showed Trump and Musk sitting side by side at the table. This seating arrangement has fueled speculation that tensions between the two influential figures may be subsiding. Kennedy accompanied the image with a simple seasonal greeting: "Happy Thanksgiving."

This joint appearance follows another recent public interaction earlier this month when Trump was observed tapping Musk's stomach during an Oval Office meeting that included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Many observers interpreted this gesture as evidence of improving relations between the two.

Trump and Musk, previously considered close political allies, experienced a deterioration in their relationship over two significant disagreements—complications arising from the release of the Epstein Files and conflicting positions regarding Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." Musk had also previously claimed that US ambassador Sergio Gor attempted to create discord between them.

Musk had served briefly as the head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for five months and had accompanied Trump on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia in May. Relations became strained when Trump stated that Musk opposed the "Big Beautiful Bill" because it proposed phasing out electric vehicle tax incentives that benefit Tesla.

The rift intensified after Musk suggested in a June 5 social media post that Trump had been mentioned in the Epstein Files, a post he subsequently appeared to remove. Following this incident, both figures exchanged indirect criticisms online and in media interviews, reinforcing perceptions of a significant political and personal divide.

Indications of improving relations first appeared in September when Trump and Musk were observed shaking hands at a memorial event honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The recent Thanksgiving photograph has strengthened the impression that both men may be working toward reconciliation.