President Trump and Mark Zuckerberg Have Become ‘Surprisingly Close,’ Edging Elon Musk Out

President Donald Trump is apparently becoming closer to billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, and a certain trillionaire is feeling the burn.

In recent months, the 80-year-old president and Meta CEO, 42, have “become surprisingly close,” a source told journalist Rob Shuter for a Friday, June 19, report in his Naughty But Nice Substack.

“They speak regularly, and Trump genuinely enjoys hearing from him,” the source said. “There’s real chemistry there.”

What was once a rocky relationship after Facebook banned the Apprentice alum from the platform following the January 6 Capitol insurrection has become a solid friendship.

Musk was even spotted chatting with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the UFC Freedom 250 event, held over the weekend at the White House on the president’s birthday.

“Mark knows exactly how to talk to him,” the source told Shuter. “He makes Trump feel respected, valued, and appreciated. That’s a skill a lot of people underestimate.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s hot-and-cold relationship with newly minted trillionaire Elon Musk has seemingly hit the back burner.

“Elon has never been interested in flattering anyone,” the source said of the SpaceX founder, 54. “He’s independent to a fault. He doesn’t need presidents, politicians, or approval from anyone.”

According to Shuter’s source, Zuckerberg “is playing a smarter long game right now,” adding: “He understands influence is about relationships. He knows what matters to Trump and how to stay in his orbit.”

“Trump loves loyalty, attention, and praise,” the source added. “Mark understands that better than anyone — and right now, it’s paying off.”

Though Trump and Musk may not be as close as they once were, the Tesla CEO was among those who accompanied the president on his recent visit to China.