Elon Musk Reverses Support for Trump Amid Los Angeles Riots Escalation

The tumultuous public feud between SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump may finally be cooling after a weekend of high-profile exchanges and a surprising sign of support from the outspoken tech mogul. Following a week marked by heated rhetoric between the two figures, Musk appeared to strike a conciliatory tone amid escalating unrest in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement actions.

Tensions between the two leaders initially surged over disagreements surrounding the administration’s sweeping tax and spending bill, often referred to as the “big, beautiful, bill.” Musk had been among the most vocal critics, labeling the proposed legislation a “disgusting abomination” and specifically targeting provisions that eliminated electric vehicle tax credits — a move perceived as a direct blow to companies like Tesla.

Amid protests and riots that erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend in response to federal immigration raids, Musk unexpectedly shared a Truth Social post from Trump, seemingly endorsing the president's approach to restoring order in the city. Trump’s message, which called on California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to apologize for their handling of the crisis, described the demonstrators as “troublemakers and insurrectionists” rather than legitimate protesters. Musk’s amplification of the post signaled a potential thaw in the ongoing hostilities between the two men.

The situation in Los Angeles intensified on Friday when the White House announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city in response to escalating violence and unrest. According to administration officials, at least 300 troops arrived by Sunday as part of efforts to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.” Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, emphasizing that “this moment calls for decisive leadership” and echoing the president’s commitment to quelling the disturbances.

President Trump, in a statement, declared that his administration would “take all such action necessary to stop the riots and a Migrant Invasion,” assuring Angelenos that “order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free.” The rhetoric struck a chord with many of Trump’s supporters nationwide, even as local officials voiced concerns about federal intervention.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was quick to denounce the federal deployment, insisting that the presence of National Guard troops under Washington’s command represented a “serious breach of state sovereignty.” Newsom took to social media to demand that control of the National Guard be returned to his administration, arguing that Trump’s decision only heightened tensions and diverted resources from more critical needs.

The week’s events unfolded after Musk’s abrupt resignation from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a move that coincided with intensifying disputes over the spending bill in Congress. Trump subsequently accused Musk of objecting to the legislation only after discovering its impact on electric vehicle incentives. Musk countered publicly, asserting he had never been consulted on the details and doubling down on his calls to eliminate what he described as “disgusting pork” from the measure.

Despite these sharp exchanges, Musk’s latest posts suggest a willingness to support the administration’s efforts at restoring stability during an emergency. Nevertheless, President Trump has maintained a frosty stance, telling reporters he was not interested in engaging with Musk, dismissing speculation that the two would speak to patch up their differences.

As the situation in Los Angeles continues to develop, the public rift between Musk and Trump remains a focal point among both political observers and the tech industry. Whether their recent interactions signal a genuine reduction in hostilities or merely a temporary pause remains to be seen, but the events of the past few days have demonstrated just how intertwined Silicon Valley’s titans have become with the nation’s broader political dramas.