Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by publicly urging billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to “leave America” if he doesn’t stop criticizing Trump’s proposed economic reforms. The fiery statement came as part of Trump’s campaign to push his so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a massive budget proposal aiming to cut government spending, including subsidies to electric vehicles and clean energy—a move that would directly affect Musk’s business empire, especially Tesla and SpaceX.
Speaking at a campaign rally and in multiple press interactions, Trump mocked Musk by claiming that without government support, he would have to “close up shop and head back to South Africa.” This wasn’t just political theater. Trump reportedly instructed his own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency ironically once led by Musk himself, to conduct a thorough review of all government contracts given to Musk’s companies. Trump argued that Musk has received more subsidies and federal support than any businessman in history, citing figures ranging from $21 billion to $38 billion over the last two decades.
The fallout comes after weeks of back-and-forth between the two powerful figures. Once political allies—Musk even served as a senior advisor during Trump’s second term and briefly led the DOGE agency—their relationship has now completely deteriorated. Musk, in a series of public posts, harshly criticized Trump’s economic plan, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that would plunge America further into debt. He even warned Republican lawmakers that if they supported the bill, he would fund primary challengers against them and hinted at forming a new political organization called the “America Party.”
Musk didn’t stop there. In what many see as a veiled threat, he suggested that Trump might not have won the 2024 election without his support and ominously implied that Trump’s name might appear in files related to Jeffrey Epstein—though he later tried to walk back that comment. Still, the damage was done. Trump, never one to back down, fired back with personal jabs, stating that Musk should “show some gratitude” for the success he’s had in America and threatening to choke off the federal money pipeline to all of Musk’s businesses.
Behind the media drama lies a much larger battle over the future of U.S. policy. The "Big, Beautiful Bill" proposes slashing climate-related investments, repealing electric vehicle tax credits, and cutting billions in contracts with private aerospace firms like SpaceX. Critics argue that these cuts could severely harm America’s position in clean tech and space exploration. Musk's companies stand at the forefront of both industries, meaning the proposed policy could directly undercut years of innovation and private-public partnerships.
This very public feud has not only exposed the frayed relationship between two of the most influential men in the country but has also created sharp divisions within the Republican Party. Some Trump loyalists have echoed his sentiments, accusing Musk of betrayal. Others warn that attacking a business leader of Musk’s stature could alienate independent voters and damage America’s global image in innovation and entrepreneurship.
From being one of Trump’s top tech allies to now being publicly told to “go back to South Africa,” Elon Musk’s position in the political landscape has dramatically shifted. What was once a partnership based on mutual ambition has turned into a high-stakes power struggle, played out on the national stage. Whether this ends in political reconciliation or full-scale economic retaliation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the war between Trump and Musk has only
just begun.
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