Donald Trump and Elon Musk are at it again—and this time, it’s personal and political. The latest blow-up between the former president and the Tesla CEO has sparked questions about loyalty, taxpayer money, and even Musk’s citizenship. Yes, really.
On Monday night in the U.S., Trump took to his favorite megaphone, Truth Social, to slam Musk for biting the hand that feeds him. His message? Without government subsidies, Musk would be shipping his Teslas and rockets right back to South Africa.
This tit-for-tat unfolds just as the 2024 election cycle heats up and Musk flirts with political rebellion. Sparks are flying, and not just from SpaceX launch pads.
A “Thankless” Billionaire? Trump Thinks So
Trump didn’t mince words. He reminded followers that Musk has pocketed more government subsidies than, in his words, “any human being in history, by far.”
In typical Trump fashion, it was loud and laced with sarcasm. He wrote: “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production—and our country would save a FORTUNE.”
One sentence. One gut punch. It’s classic Trump.
Musk hasn’t directly responded to the South Africa jab, but insiders say he’s seething. And if his past clapbacks are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time.
The EV Mandate That’s Fueling the Fire
At the heart of this grudge match lies the federal electric vehicle (EV) mandate—something Trump has been railing against for months.
Musk, who made billions on the back of EVs, has been surprisingly critical of mandates forcing people to adopt electric cars. He argues that while clean energy is the future, coercion isn’t the way to get there.
But Trump, never one to ignore irony, used Musk’s own business model against him.
“Elon knew I was against the EV mandate before he endorsed me,” Trump posted. “Electric cars are fine. But not everyone should be forced to own one.”
It’s the classic political knife twist: accuse your opponent of hypocrisy, then suggest they owe you gratitude.
The Threat from DOGE—And No, It’s Not a Meme
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising part of Trump’s rant was his proposal to unleash DOGE on Musk.
No, not the cryptocurrency meme.
Trump revived the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an obscure administrative proposal once spearheaded by Musk himself, to now investigate the very subsidies fueling Musk’s empire.
“Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard look at this?” Trump wrote. “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
This odd twist got attention.
-
DOGE was originally launched as a tongue-in-cheek Musk idea to “streamline” bloated federal spending.
-
It never really took off.
-
Trump just turned it into a potential watchdog against Musk.
You really can’t make this stuff up.
Musk’s Political Gambit: Threat to Form a New Party?
This isn’t just about money or cars or rockets. It’s about control.
Earlier this week, Musk openly criticized Trump’s trillion-dollar spending package, branding it “political suicide for the Republican Party.” That was a turning point.
In private conversations, sources close to Musk say he’s floated the idea of bankrolling or forming a new political outfit. One with fewer culture wars and more tech-forward policies.
Whether he’s serious or bluffing is anyone’s guess. But in U.S. politics, even whispers like that get attention.
Especially when you’ve got over 160 million followers on X and a net worth north of $250 billion.
The Numbers Tell the Story
To grasp the stakes, it helps to look at how much Musk’s companies benefit from federal and state support.
Here’s a quick look at what’s been reported:
| Company | Estimated Subsidies Received | Source of Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | $2.8 billion | Federal and State Tax Credits |
| SpaceX | $5.4 billion (NASA contracts) | Government Contracts |
| SolarCity | $1.5 billion | State-level Green Incentives |
| Neuralink & Boring Co. | Undisclosed | Mostly Private Funding |
That’s a lot of taxpayer money floating around the Musk orbit. Trump’s taking that and painting a narrative: he built the Musk machine, and now it’s turning on him.
Behind the Curtain: What’s Really Going On?
One sentence from a White House insider summed it up: “This isn’t about EVs or subsidies—it’s a turf war.”
Trump wants total loyalty. Musk wants total independence. And neither man is used to hearing the word “no.”
There’s also some 2028 posturing going on here. Musk may not run for office (he can’t, as he wasn’t born in the U.S.), but his influence is undeniable. Whether it’s endorsing candidates or sinking campaigns with a single post, he’s now a political player.
Trump sees that. And he doesn’t like it one bit.
The South Africa Comment: Outrage, or Just Noise?
Finally, there’s the elephant in the room: Trump’s remark about Musk heading “back home.”
That comment sparked online outrage, with critics calling it xenophobic and needlessly personal. Others shrugged it off as typical Trump banter.
Elon Musk was born in Pretoria but became a U.S. citizen in 2002. He’s been based in the U.S. ever since.
Still, the comment hit a nerve.
Especially because it wasn’t about policy. It was personal. And that’s what makes this feud feel different.
More brutal. Less political. Way more entertaining.
