After a public rift earlier this year, former President Donald Trump has signaled a potential reconciliation with Elon Musk, describing the tech billionaire as “80% super genius” and suggesting he may return to the Republican Party rather than launch a third-party effort.

Speaking to Scott Jennings, Trump stated, “I don’t think he has a choice. What’s he gonna do? He’s gonna go with the radical left lunatics? They’re lunatics.” The former president also emphasized his enduring personal approval of Musk, calling him “a man of common sense” and a “good person” despite past disagreements.

Trump acknowledged Musk’s “20% some problems” but expressed confidence that he would resolve them, saying, “When he works out the 20%, he’ll be great.” The remarks came as Musk was notably absent from the guest list for an upcoming White House dinner featuring tech leaders like Bill Gates, Tim Cook, and Mark Zuckerberg.

The event, hosted in the renovated Rose Garden, has drawn attention for its lavish setup, mirroring Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. A White House spokesperson described the venue as “the hottest place to be in Washington,” though Musk’s exclusion remains unexplained.

The article includes affiliate links and a disclaimer about potential compensation.