WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that he has no plans to discontinue the use of Starlink satellite internet at the White House, despite declaring the end of his personal and political alliance with Elon Musk, the CEO of Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX.
“I may move the Tesla around a little bit, but I don’t think we’ll be doing that with Starlink. It’s a good service,” Trump told reporters, referring to the high-speed satellite broadband network that remains operational at multiple government facilities, including the executive residence.
Trump’s comments come just days after he publicly announced a falling out with Musk, ending what had been a high-profile relationship between the two influential figures. In March, Trump had purchased a red Tesla Model S—reportedly at Musk’s recommendation—though aides now suggest the electric vehicle may be removed from White House grounds following the fallout.
The Tesla was still spotted parked at the White House over the weekend, but Trump appeared to downplay its significance. “We’ll see what we do with it,” he said.
Personal Rift, Political Implications
On Saturday, Trump stated he had no intention of mending ties with Musk. Yet on Monday, he struck a more conciliatory tone: “We had a good relationship, and I just wish him well. I wouldn’t mind if he called.”
Musk responded on social media with a simple heart emoji beneath a video of Trump’s remarks, suggesting the door to reconciliation may remain open.
The rift followed Musk’s sharp criticism of Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation—dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” by the White House—which he called a “disgusting abomination.” The billionaire’s opposition has further complicated the bill’s already uncertain prospects in Congress, where Republicans hold only narrow majorities in both chambers.
Their feud quickly escalated last week, with both men exchanging barbed posts on social media. Musk even appeared to support efforts to impeach Trump before later deleting the post.
Starlink’s Role Remains Intact
Despite the personal dispute, Trump made clear that Starlink remains essential. The system provides secure, resilient broadband access that is especially valuable in emergencies and national security contexts. It is also being used in some government field operations and remote areas lacking infrastructure.
Sources close to Musk say tensions have cooled in recent days. While no formal reconciliation has taken place, they believe Musk may be open to reestablishing dialogue, particularly as SpaceX continues to expand its government partnerships.
For now, Trump seems content to separate business from personal politics—at least when it comes to Starlink. “It works, and that’s what we care about,” he said.
