Elon Musk’s recent apology to former President Donald Trump may pave the way for renewed collaboration between the two high-profile figures, according to a new investor note from Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. The timing is critical, as Tesla prepares for its highly anticipated Robotaxi launch on June 22 in Austin.
Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter),
“I regret some of my posts about President Trump last week. They went too far.”
Analyst Sees Strategic Reconciliation Ahead of Tesla Robotaxi Launch
Ives characterized the move as “a smart play” with Tesla’s Robotaxi launch on deck, describing it as a crucial step toward mending fences. According to Ives,
“Musk needs Trump, and Trump needs Musk.”
The analyst noted that tensions between the two — once seen as political and business allies — have weighed on Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock, particularly as investors worried about Trump potentially obstructing regulatory pathways for autonomous vehicle expansion.
“The former BFFs turning against each other has been an overhang on shares of Tesla,” Wedbush wrote.
Regulatory Concerns Loom Over Tesla’s Autonomous Plans
A reconciliation could prove beneficial for Tesla’s federal ambitions, especially around the development and implementation of a national framework for autonomous driving — something Musk may need support for from a potential second Trump administration.
While Ives does not expect a full return to the “Mar-a-Lago-connected-at-the-hip” days, he anticipates a gradual warming of the relationship.
“Trump needs Musk to stay close to the Republican party, and Musk needs Trump for various reasons, including greenlighting autonomous infrastructure,” the note said.
Tesla Robotaxi Launch Viewed as Major AI Milestone
Wedbush views the June 22 Robotaxi event in Austin as a major moment for Tesla and its AI roadmap. The firm believes that despite the political drama, Musk is on track to position Tesla as a top AI player, joining ranks with Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and other tech leaders.
“The AI Revolution is now coming to Tesla,” Ives wrote, calling the Robotaxi launch a cornerstone of Tesla’s long-term strategy.
Tesla Robotaxi launch: Investor Focus Shifts to Tesla’s AI Potential
The Wedbush report concludes that Tesla’s Robotaxi and AI ambitions are beginning to take center stage for investors, and political reconciliation with Trump helps clear the path.
“The Trump feud is not getting in the way of this,” Ives affirmed, emphasizing Tesla’s evolution into a “pure play on AI” for the coming decade.
