A public feud has erupted between US President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, with the president suggesting that Musk should be investigated for allegedly receiving excessive government subsidies. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has been a vocal critic of Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, which includes a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase. Musk stepped down as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last month due to disagreements with the president over the legislation.
Musk has repeatedly spoken out against the bill, stating that it undermines his work with DOGE to cut federal spending. As the US Senate began voting on amendments to Trump’s 940-page proposal, Musk took to social media platform X to express his discontent. “Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame,” he wrote. Musk also warned that those who supported the bill would “lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
The entrepreneur has also called for the formation of a new “America Party” to serve as an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty, allowing people to have a greater voice in politics. However, Trump claims that Musk’s anger is not truly about the budget bill, but rather about his plans to roll back government subsidies for electric vehicles. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that Musk “may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
Trump insisted that without government assistance, Musk’s companies would not be able to continue their operations, including rocket launches, satellite production, and electric car manufacturing. The president suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency should take a closer look at the subsidies received by Musk’s companies, claiming that it could save the country a significant amount of money. Trump also noted that he has always been against the electric vehicle mandate, which he believes is “ridiculous” and should not be forced on everyone.
The public spat between Trump and Musk highlights the ongoing debate about government spending and subsidies. As the US Senate continues to deliberate on the budget bill, the rift between the two former allies is likely to continue, with significant implications for the future of American politics and the tech industry. With the fate of the budget bill hanging in the balance, one thing is certain – the feud between Trump and Musk will be closely watched by people around the world.
