U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have reignited their public feud, with Trump suggesting a review of subsidies and contracts awarded to Musk’s companies.
The spat, unfolding across social media platforms, centers on disagreements over a massive tax-cut and spending bill.
Trump’s remarks on Truth Social hinted at leveraging the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, to scrutinize the financial support Musk’s businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX, have received.
This follows Musk’s vocal criticism of the bill, which he claims will significantly increase the national debt.
Trump’s post on Truth Social stated:
Elon may get more 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. 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? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!
President Donald Trump.
Musk, in response on X, declared:
I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.
Elon Musk.
Estimates suggest Musk’s companies, including SpaceX with $22 billion in federal contracts, have benefited from at least $38 billion in government support over the years.
The threat to review these funds could impact Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions and SpaceX’s operations.
The feud, which began earlier this year over the same spending bill, has already caused market turbulence, with Tesla shares dropping nearly 5% in premarket trading.
Musk’s renewed attacks, labeling the bill “utterly insane and destructive” and threatening to unseat supportive lawmakers, have raised concerns among Republicans about their 2026 midterm prospects.
The Congressional Budget Office projects the bill could add $2.4 trillion to $3 trillion to the U.S. debt over a decade.
Musk’s push for a new political party and his leadership of DOGE add complexity to the ongoing rift, which continues to play out publicly with no clear resolution in sight.