In a blow-for-blow, the US President Donald Trump criticized the world’s richest man and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, sparking another feud between the former allies. Retaliating over Elon Musk’s statement that Trump has been using a big spending bill, the President said, “Elon may get more subsidies than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close shop and head back home to South Africa”.
What does Trump’s direct attack on Elon Musk mean?
Trump’s recent response to Musk is laced with political jabs and sarcasm. The President initially wrote in the post that Musk already knew Trump was strongly against the EV Mandate. Trump’s election campaign also covered words against the EV Mandate. Also, Musk endorsed Trump for President, according to the post.
EV Mandate is a government policy tool that came into law in January 2024. This tool encourages electric vehicle or EV adoption by cutting out gas-powered vehicles in order to boost zero-emission vehicles.
“Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one”, wrote the President. Following this statement, Trump wrote, accusing Musk of creating his empire with massive government subsidies. If there were no subsidies, Musk would probably have to go back to his home country, South Africa.
How did the bitter battle start?
Although the war of words between the duo started back in February 2025, it escalated on June 3, when Elon called Trump’s huge tax and spending package the “big beautiful bill” and a “ disgusting abomination”. He also added that he would support political opponents of Republican lawmakers who support the “big spending bill”. In February, when Elon Musk served as co-head of Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), he argued against Trump’s tariffs and federal policies. Later in April, Musk started moving away from Washington to focus on his businesses.
Musk exits DOGE in May
After Elon Musk officially resigned from DOGE, he started ramping up criticism, starting with the “big beautiful bill”. The Tesla king also decried that Trump had ties to Jeffrey Epstein, to which the latter responded, “crazy”.
The Trump-Musk verbal war may seem a bit complicated, but it could be more personal than political. As both are key power players in the world, neither of them likes being overshadowed by the other. This cycle of backlash could probably have no end, unless their relevance fades away. But wait, things can always change!
