President Donald Trump on Monday struck a more diplomatic note toward billionaire Elon Musk, brushing off reports of any physical altercation between Musk and the Treasury secretary.
“They did have an argument, but I didn’t see, I didn’t see a lot of physicality there,” Trump said at the White House.
The New York Times claimed that, toward the end of his time in the White House, Musk was blurring the lines between recreational and medicinal drug use. Pressed on whether he believed Musk had indulged at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Trump demurred. “I really don’t know. I don’t think so. I hope not.”
“Look, I wish him well,” Trump added. “You understand, we had a good relationship, and I just wish him well, very well, actually.”
Though the White House mood has shifted from rancor to rapprochement, speculation abounds as to whether the pair will soon pick up the phone.
“I haven’t really thought about it, actually,” Trump said, though he was hardly ruling it out. “I would imagine he wants to speak to me. I would think. If I were him, I’d want to speak to me, but, and maybe he was already called. You’d have to ask him, ask him whether or not he’s already called. But I’d have no problem with it.”
If Musk does call, would Trump answer? “Well, I don’t want to say that, but, you know, but I would imagine he’d want to talk to me,” Trump concluded.
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