More than 200,000 people came joined to mourn Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, while millions watched on television. Meanwhile, the country got an unexpected subplot: Donald Trump and Elon Musk sharing a short, filmed handshake and chat.
A professional lip reader later offered an interpretation of the words. Here’s a tight, moment-by-moment breakdown focused only on that exchange, with the usual caveats that lip-reading is interpretive.
The moment, on camera
A suite-level camera angle captured Trump turning from UFC’s Dana White toward Musk, followed by a quick handshake and a few sentences. Clips circulated widely within minutes.
Opener: ‘How are you doing?’
The lip reader says Trump begins with a simple check-in — “How are you doing?” — as he reaches for Musk’s hand.
‘So, Elon, I’ve heard you wanted to chat.’
According to the interpretation, Trump pivots immediately to the point: he’s heard Musk wants to talk. Musk appears to give a small shrug.
‘Let’s try and work out how to get back on track.’
The most substantive fragment sounds like an invitation to patch things up: “Let’s try and work out how to get back on track.” Musk nods in response.
Closer: ‘I’ve missed you.’
As they clasp hands, Trump seems to add a softer tag — “I’ve missed you” — before the moment ends.
Body language read: nods, a shrug, and Dana White nearby
The footage shows Musk nodding and a brief shoulder shrug; White leans in at one point but does not appear to speak. It reads as cordial, not performative — and very short.
Important caveat: lip-reading isn’t definitive
This is an informed interpretation of silent footage, not a verbatim transcript. Without clear audio, certainty is impossible.
What wasn’t said (on camera)
There’s no audible policy talk, no specifics about their recent feud, and no public commitment beyond pleasantries. The clip ends almost as fast as it starts.
Why this tiny exchange landed so big
Given months of public friction, even a line like “let’s get back on track” reads as a meaningful olive branch — or at least a truce for the day. That’s why a few seconds of lip-read lines dominated headlines.
Trade the feud: what prediction markets say
If you want to put money behind a view of where this relationship goes next, prediction markets have you covered. According to Kalshi right now:
- 9% chance Elon unfollows Trump on X this year
- 6% chance Trump sues Elon this year
What that implies: markets see an unfollow as possible but unlikely, and a lawsuit as a long shot. If you’re trading these, watch for concrete catalysts (public spats, legal threats, platform policy clashes), remember these contracts are binary, and that tiny headlines can swing prices fast. Not investment advice.
