Trump suggests Musk’s businesses might fail without federal support and hinted Musk might return to South Africa
A war of words has erupted between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with Trump launching a scathing attack that suggests Musk’s electric vehicle and space ventures are propped up by massive government handouts. In a late-night social media post, Trump even hinted that if subsidies were to disappear, Musk might “head back home to South Africa.”
This latest broadside comes amidst Trump’s cuts of government spending on clean energy and electric vehicles. Trump, a vocal critic of such investments, has consistently framed them as wasteful and unduly beneficial to select corporations.
“Elon may get more subsidies 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 wrote. This statement is being widely interpreted as both a personal jab and a political signal, potentially aiming to resonate with an international audience wary of corporate welfare.
Adding another layer to the drama, Trump suggested that the very initiative Musk helped establish – the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – could be turned against the billionaire himself. Musk had, until May, spearheaded DOGE, which was tasked with slashing fraud and waste in US government spending.
“No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production, and our country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard look at this?” the former president mused.
The Unraveling of a High-Profile Partnership
Elon Musk’s brief stint in the Trump administration has been overshadowed by political fallout and escalating controversy. Appointed in early 2025 to help lead DOGE, Musk oversaw aggressive reforms, including the dismantling of USAID, the defunding of diversity programs, and the dismissal of over 200,000 federal workers.
These sweeping changes sparked immediate lawsuits and internal resignations, with critics accusing DOGE of constitutional overreach.7 Musk later stepped down, though the escalating controversy suggested a calculated exit rather than a simple end to his term.
Tensions further flared when Musk publicly criticized Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a massive spending proposal that is now facing resistance even within Republican ranks. Musk labeled the bill as fiscally irresponsible, prompting a sharp retort from Trump on social media. The former president accused the tech magnate of being overly reliant on taxpayer money, declaring that Musk “may get more subsidies than any human being in history.”
Billions in Backing: The Subsidy Question
While Musk often portrays himself as a self-made, ideologically independent figure, his companies, particularly Tesla, have reportedly received billions in federal and state subsidies over the years. This includes tax credits, regulatory incentives, and significant government contracts.
According to The Washington Post, Musk and his various ventures have accumulated at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies, and tax credits. This staggering figure is now a key weapon in Trump’s arsenal as his once-collaborative relationship with Musk crumbles.
For Musk, who was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002, Trump’s pointed reference to his birthplace adds a sharp edge to the remarks. It frames the debate not just as a policy dispute over government spending, but as a broader question of national loyalty and the true resilience of his industrial empire.
