logo
HomeNews
Donald Trump and Elon Musk | Source: Getty Images
Donald Trump and Elon Musk | Source: Getty Images

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Reunite at Charlie Kirk's Memorial Months After Rift

Akhona Zungu
Sep 22, 2025
07:32 A.M.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk have reunited in an emotional public moment just months after their explosive fallout — but a cryptic hand gesture has sent internet sleuths into a frenzy.

Advertisement

It was the reunion no one expected... and the hand sign no one could explain.

An X post about Donald Trump and Elon Musk's hand signs. | Source: X/JC1stID

An X post about Donald Trump and Elon Musk's hand signs. | Source: X/JC1stID

President Donald Trump and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk were spotted together for the first time in months following their headline-grabbing, deeply personal public feud — and their brief, cryptic interaction at a memorial service for controversial conservative figure Charlie Kirk has set the internet ablaze with speculation, suspicion, and stunning symbolism.

An X post about Donald Trump and Elon Musk's hand signs. | Source: X/LPrescott67710

An X post about Donald Trump and Elon Musk's hand signs. | Source: X/LPrescott67710

Advertisement

The surprise encounter, captured on video and now circulating rapidly online, unfolded during Kirk's memorial at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 21 — and it wasn't long before the reunion morphed into a viral spectacle, complete with strange hand signs, lip-reading analysis, and a potential political realignment that no one saw coming.

Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with President Trump on May 30, 2025, inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. | Source: Getty Images

Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with President Trump on May 30, 2025, inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. | Source: Getty Images

From Bitter Enemies to Awkward Allies? Trump and Musk Reunite — And Social Media Explodes

In one jaw-dropping clip, Elon Musk walks into a skybox where Trump is seated beside UFC champion Dana White, and takes a seat beside the 45th president. Cameras capture the moment Trump turns, offers a warm handshake, and engages the Tesla titan in what appears to be a cordial — if tense — conversation.

Advertisement
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk shake hands during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. | Source: Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk shake hands during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. | Source: Getty Images

But it was what happened next that sent shockwaves through the crowd: both men are seen briefly raising their hands in an eerie triangular formation, then lowering them without explanation. That gesture — silent, synchronized, and strangely symbolic — has launched a thousand conspiracy theories.

"I'm tired of pretending to what that means, what does Mr Trump and Elon hand symbol means? It's often displayed in public [sic]," wrote one confused viewer. "Lot of weird hand signals going on at the Charlie Kirk memorial," another remarked.

Advertisement

"Tell me more about the weird hand thing Elon has going on," said a third."Why do they flash this hand sign every single time?" someone else asked. "The hand gesture from Elon again 🤣," a netizen joked.

Advertisement

'For Charlie': Musk Posts Cryptic Photo After Tense Exchange — Lip Reader Reveals Emotional Conversation

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk posted a photo of the exchange later that day — hand signs clearly visible — with the caption, "For Charlie." Now, thanks to lip reader Nicola Hickling, we know exactly what was said during the reunion — and it paints a far more emotional picture than many expected.

Advertisement

According to Hickling, Trump greeted Musk with, "How are you doing?" to which Musk simply shrugged. Then came the kicker: "So, Elon, I've heard you wanted to chat," Trump reportedly said. "Let's try and work out how to get back on track."

Musk nodded — silently. Trump then reached out again, shaking his hand and saying, "I've missed you." The moment left many stunned. Eric Trump posted a photo from behind the two men, captioning it, "The band is back together!"

Advertisement

But is the truce real… or just for show?

A screenshot of Eric Trump's Instagram Stories post, dated September 21, 2025. | Source: Instagram

A screenshot of Eric Trump's Instagram Stories post, dated September 21, 2025. | Source: Instagram

Inside the Breakup: 'He Just Went Crazy!' — Trump and Musk’s Feud Gets Personal and Political

This high-profile falling out didn't come out of nowhere. Tensions erupted in early June, when Musk publicly lashed out at Trump after he left his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

This combination of pictures created on June 5, 2025, shows US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, DC, on May 5, 2025, and Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

This combination of pictures created on June 5, 2025, shows US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, DC, on May 5, 2025, and Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Trump fired back on Truth Social, accusing Musk of being irrational and claiming:

"Elon was 'wearing thin,' I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!"

President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

On June 6, while flying aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed Musk altogether, telling reporters:

"Honestly, I've been so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran, working on so many...I'm not thinking about Elon. I just wish him well."

Advertisement

Musk replied tersely on X:

"Likewise."

But behind closed doors, insiders say Trump was more heartbroken than furious. One adviser admitted the president was simply "bummed" over the split with Musk.

President Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

President Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

From Tantrums to 'Decommissioning Spacecraft': Elon's Post-Trump Spiral Shocks Even His Fans

In the weeks that followed, Elon Musk unleashed a social media onslaught against Trump — one that stunned even his most loyal followers. The billionaire accused the president of betrayal, financial mismanagement, and even sinister secrets.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Among his most jaw-dropping claims:

1. Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill Was a 'Disgusting Abomination'

Musk fumed over a $5 trillion debt ceiling hike, posting, "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

Advertisement

He later added sarcastically, "In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both [sic] big and beautiful. Everyone knows this!"

2. 'Without Me, Trump Would Have Lost'

Musk claimed he was the reason Trump won, stating: "Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate."

Advertisement

3. 'Trump Is in the Epstein Files'

Advertisement

In a scandalous accusation, Musk posted: "@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!"

He then followed up with a cryptic emoji — "🤨" — after sharing a decades-old clip of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein partying in 1992. The reply has since been deleted.

Musk Vows to Shut Down SpaceX’s Iconic Dragon Program

The attacks didn't stop at insults. The real bombshell came when Musk posted this announcement:

"In light of the President's statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately."

Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

With that, Musk threatened to abandon one of NASA's most important partnerships — a move that left space officials and taxpayers stunned.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Trump Hits Back Hard — Defends 'Great, Big, Beautiful Bill' and Breaks Silence on Musk's Oval Office Loyalty

On June 5, Trump fired off several responses, calling Musk's actions "crazy" and defending his decision to cancel EV subsidies and NASA appointments.

President Donald Trump looks on as he is greeted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands. | Source: Getty Images

President Donald Trump looks on as he is greeted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

"The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump wrote. "I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!"

Advertisement

Later, the president appeared before reporters in the Oval Office and finally spoke with nuance about his former friend. "Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore," he said.

He recalled Musk being very happy behind the Resolute Desk, and added: "He wanted that person… and we said no," referencing a rejected NASA nominee. Still, Trump stood firm, saying, "I am right about the 'Great, Big, Beautiful Bill.' We go to 'Great, Big, Beautiful Bill' because that's what it is."

Advertisement

A Mysterious Hand Sign, a Broken Alliance, and the Question No One Can Answer: Are They Back — Or Just Bluffing?

Whether this surprise reunion signals a genuine reconciliation or a political chess move, only time will tell. But one thing's for certain: the Trump-Musk saga is far from over.

They may have once shared power, then traded barbs. Now, they’ve traded handshakes — and cryptic signs. And the world is watching.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts