In a dramatic escalation of tensions, President Donald Trump unleashed a scathing attack on tech billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, telling him to “head back home to South Africa” in a fiery Truth Social post.
The outburst marks a sharp deterioration in the once-cordial relationship between the two high-profile figures, who have clashed repeatedly in recent weeks over policy and political priorities.
The latest spat centers on Trump’s controversial tax and spending legislation, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill” by critics, which Musk has publicly condemned as fiscally irresponsible.
A Short-Lived Truce Shatters
The rift between Trump and Musk, which appeared to have been temporarily mended after Musk’s strong endorsement of Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign, has unraveled in less than a month.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who was recently appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration, has taken a hardline stance against the former president’s latest legislative push.
Musk’s outspoken criticism on X, where he commands a massive following, has ignited a public feud that has captivated political observers and the media alike.
In a series of blistering posts on X, Musk accused lawmakers who supported Trump’s spending bill of betraying their campaign promises to curb government excess.
“Those who campaigned on cutting spending but voted for this should hang their heads in shame,” Musk wrote, vowing to make it his mission to unseat them in upcoming primaries. “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on earth.”
Musk went further, threatening to launch a poster campaign targeting supporters of the bill, branding them “liars” for backing legislation he claims will balloon America’s national debt by $5 trillion.
His remarks reflect growing frustration among fiscal conservatives who view the bill as a departure from Trump’s earlier promises of reducing government waste.
Trump’s Counterattack: Subsidies and South Africa
Trump wasted no time responding, taking to Truth Social to deliver a pointed rebuke. In his post, the former president accused Musk of thriving on government subsidies, suggesting that without them, the billionaire’s business empire—including Tesla’s electric vehicle production and SpaceX’s rocket launches—would collapse.
“Elon may get 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 wrote. “No more Rocket launches, Satellites or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.”
Trump’s mention of South Africa, where Musk was born before immigrating to Canada and later the United States, was widely interpreted as a personal jab, highlighting the increasingly acrimonious tone of the dispute.
The president also took aim at Musk’s role as head of DOGE, a newly created department tasked with streamlining federal spending. Trump mocked Musk’s involvement, implying that the billionaire’s criticism of the spending bill undermines his mandate to promote government efficiency.
The “Big Beautiful Bill” Controversy
At the heart of the feud is Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation, which has drawn sharp criticism from fiscal hawks and libertarian-leaning figures like Musk.
The bill, which critics have derisively labeled the “Big Beautiful Bill,” includes a mix of tax cuts, infrastructure investments, and increased federal spending. While supporters argue it will stimulate economic growth, opponents warn it could exacerbate the national debt, which already exceeds $33 trillion.
Musk’s vocal opposition to the bill aligns with his broader push for fiscal responsibility, a stance that has put him at odds with some of Trump’s staunchest allies. The billionaire’s influence on X, where his posts often shape public discourse, has amplified the debate, drawing attention to divisions within the Republican Party over spending priorities.
A History of Tension
The Trump-Musk feud is not entirely new. While Musk endorsed Trump during the 2024 campaign and even contributed significant resources to his reelection efforts, the two have clashed on several issues, including electric vehicle (EV) mandates.
In his Truth Social post, Trump referenced Musk’s awareness of his opposition to EV mandates, suggesting the billionaire’s criticism of the spending bill is hypocritical given his reliance on government incentives for Tesla’s electric vehicle production.
Musk, for his part, has defended his companies’ use of subsidies, arguing they have been critical to advancing clean energy and space exploration. Tesla has benefited from federal tax credits for electric vehicles, while SpaceX has secured billions in government contracts for NASA missions and satellite launches.
Critics, including Trump, have pointed to these subsidies as evidence of Musk’s dependence on public funds, a charge the billionaire has repeatedly dismissed.
The Role of DOGE
Musk’s appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, was a hallmark of Trump’s second term, signaling a commitment to reducing bureaucratic waste.
DOGE was established to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in federal agencies, a mission that aligns with Musk’s reputation for disrupting traditional industries. However, his public criticism of Trump’s spending bill has raised questions about his ability to work within the administration while challenging its policies.
Political analysts suggest that Musk’s role in DOGE could become a lightning rod for criticism, particularly if his feud with Trump continues to escalate. “Musk is walking a tightrope,” said political strategist Amanda Carter. “He’s trying to push for fiscal discipline while serving in an administration that’s pursuing an ambitious—and expensive—legislative agenda. This conflict was almost inevitable.”
Broader Implications
The Trump-Musk clash underscores broader tensions within the Republican Party as it navigates its priorities in the post-2024 political landscape.
Trump’s base remains fiercely loyal, but Musk’s influence among younger, tech-savvy conservatives and libertarians gives him significant sway. His threats to target lawmakers in primaries could reshape the GOP’s internal dynamics, particularly as it grapples with balancing economic growth and fiscal responsibility.
For Musk, the feud risks alienating key allies in Washington, where his companies rely on government contracts and regulatory support.
Tesla’s push for autonomous vehicles and SpaceX’s ambitious Starship program both depend on favorable policies, making Musk’s public attacks on Trump a high-stakes gamble.
What’s Next?
As the war of words intensifies, all eyes are on how Trump and Musk will navigate their fractured relationship. Will Musk double down on his criticism, leveraging his platform on X to rally opposition to the spending bill? Or will Trump seek to marginalize Musk, potentially undermining his role in DOGE? The answers could have far-reaching consequences for both men and the political landscape they inhabit.
For now, the public sparring match shows no signs of abating. Trump’s call for Musk to “head back to South Africa” and Musk’s pledge to unseat lawmakers signal entrenched positions in a battle that pits two of America’s most influential figures against each other.
As the 2026 midterms loom, the fallout from this feud could reshape the GOP and redefine the intersection of politics, business, and technology.
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