【By Observer.com, Zhang Jingjuan】Entrepreneur Elon Musk, who once openly challenged US President Trump and announced the formation of a third party, has once again demonstrated his "financial power," pledging to fund the Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections.

Axios news website reported on the 16th, citing informed sources, that Musk has restarted his campaign funding for the Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, "firmly returning to the Republican camp." This move indicates that the relationship between him and Trump has eased since they had a falling out earlier this year.

According to sources, the billionaire recently donated a large sum of money to help the Republicans win next year's congressional elections, and he said he will continue to invest funds throughout the 2026 election cycle.

As a major donor in the 2024 US election, Musk's total donations reached $291.5 million, with most of it used to support Trump's re-election campaign, becoming a key supporter of the Republican Party's victory.

Although the exact donation amount will be revealed when the campaign finance report is released in January next year, Axios believes this could provide significant assistance to the Republicans.

Before changing his stance, Musk attended a dinner. In November, under the coordination of US Vice President Vance, who has close ties with Musk, Musk dined with White House Chief of Staff (also known as the White House办公厅主任) Susie Wiles and former Deputy Chief of Staff, Taylor Budowich, who still maintains close contact with the Trump administration. Jared Birchall, Musk's core deputy responsible for managing political donations, also attended the dinner.

Video screenshot of Trump and Musk attending Kirk's memorial service

Musk was once a staunch ally of Trump. After joining the "Office of Government Efficiency," he was responsible for overseeing bureaucratic corruption and cutting national debt, and the two were so close that Musk could even stay at the White House. However, this good time did not last long. After Musk left in May, the conflict erupted completely.

After Musk continuously criticized the "Big Tech" bill, calling it "disgusting," the two started an intense "verbal battle." Yet, their relationship has been repeatedly swinging between public attacks and awkward flattery.

Musk also leaked on social media that Trump appeared in Epstein case documents, saying, "This is the real reason it wasn't made public." Although he later deleted the post, it sparked a series of subsequent public debates around the Epstein case, which angered Trump.

Trump once said he considered expelling Musk from the country and threatened to terminate the federal contracts and subsidies received by Musk's companies, calling it "the easiest way to save billions of dollars in our budget."

However, ironically, when Tesla's stock plummeted in July, Trump posted on his social platform "Truth Social," expressing hope that "Musk's company and all American businesses can thrive."

Then, at an event commemorating conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September, the camera captured a moment where the two shook hands and talked.

The report stated that now, Musk and Trump occasionally communicate, and Musk also attended a White House dinner hosted by Trump last month for Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed.

According to reports, both Trump and Musk's allies stated that it is almost certain that Musk will no longer push forward the third party and will not retaliate against Republicans supporting the "Big Tech" bill. He is positioning himself as a traditional Republican donor, continuing to make large donations to the party's campaign organizations and super political action committees (Super PACs).

Informed sources revealed that Trump has moved on from the dispute with Musk. However, they believe that although their relationship has improved, it will never return to the previous level of closeness.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7584649136532636206/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.