U.S. President Donald Trump has rekindled tensions with former aide and tech billionaire Elon Musk, suggesting the Tesla and SpaceX CEO would be forced to return to South Africa without substantial government support.
“Elon may get more subsidies than anyone in history, by far,” Trump posted on social media Tuesday. “Without them, he’d probably have to shut down operations and head back home to South Africa.”
The pointed remarks followed Musk’s renewed criticism of Trump’s $4.5 trillion “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which seeks to extend expiring tax cuts and bolster border security. Lawmakers began debating the bill Monday.
Musk, who led the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump until resigning in May, condemned the bill, accusing Republicans of abandoning fiscal conservatism and calling it “debt slavery.”
“All I’m asking is that we don’t bankrupt America,” Musk wrote online. “What’s the point of a debt ceiling if we keep raising it?”
He also vowed to support the creation of a new political party aimed at challenging politicians who once opposed excessive spending but are now backing the legislation. “VOX POPULI VOX DEI — 80% voted for a new party,” he said, referencing an online poll he conducted.
In response, Trump hinted at possible government scrutiny of Musk’s ventures. “No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production, and our country would save a fortune,” he wrote. “Maybe DOGE should take a good, hard look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
