The political playground just got a new sandbox scuffle, and it’s a doozy! President Donald Trump and tech titan Elon Musk, once chummy allies, are now tossing fiscal spitballs over government subsidies. Trump’s latest Truth Social post suggested the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should sniff around Musk’s business empire to save some serious cash.
Trump didn’t mince words on his platform. “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history,” he typed, adding that without them, Musk might have to pack up his rockets and Teslas and head back to South Africa. The jab sent Tesla’s stock sliding 5% in pre-market trading, proving words can hit harder than a SpaceX launch.
Musk, never one to shy from a digital duel, fired back on X with a bold, “CUT IT ALL. Now.” This wasn’t just a retort; it was a gauntlet thrown from a man whose companies have pocketed about $20 billion in government contracts. SpaceX practically runs NASA’s space show, while Tesla’s raked in $2.8 billion in subsidies.
The feud’s roots trace back to Musk’s dramatic exit from Trump’s administration in May. Once tasked with slashing federal fat as DOGE’s head, Musk now finds himself in the crosshairs of his own brainchild. Trump’s suggestion that DOGE investigate Musk’s subsidies is like asking a chef to taste his own soup—ironic and spicy.
Their bromance began to crumble over Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a tax and spending package Musk claims will balloon the national debt. Musk’s been hammering the bill on X, even threatening to start a new political party to shake up the “Democrat-Republican uniparty.” Talk about a plot twist worthy of a sci-fi blockbuster!
Last month, things got downright wild. Musk tossed out impeachment talk, warned Trump’s tariffs could tank the economy, and even hinted at pulling SpaceX’s astronaut-ferrying capsules. He also stirred the pot with a now-deleted Epstein jab, proving these two play rough.
SpaceX’s $22 billion in federal contracts makes it a juicy target for Trump’s cost-cutting crusade. The company’s role in NASA’s missions, like schlepping astronauts to the International Space Station, is critical. Without SpaceX, the U.S. might have to hitch rides on Russia’s Soyuz capsules—awkward.
Tesla, meanwhile, thrives on EV tax credits and regulatory goodies. These incentives helped launch the Model S and keep the electric dream humming. Trump’s anti-EV mandate stance—he’s called it “ridiculous”—adds fuel to this fiery feud.
Investors are feeling the heat. Tesla’s shares took a $150 billion hit in June when the spat first erupted, and the latest barbs aren’t helping. SpaceX, being private, dodges public market drama, but its government ties are under the microscope.
Musk’s response to Trump’s subsidy scrutiny was pure bravado. “CUT IT ALL” sounds like a dare, but it’s a risky one. His empire’s growth—from Tesla’s zippy sedans to SpaceX’s starry ambitions—leans heavily on Uncle Sam’s wallet.
Trump’s Truth Social tirade didn’t stop at subsidies. “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production,” he wrote, suggesting the U.S. could save a fortune. It’s a bold claim, but pulling the plug on Musk’s ventures might ground more than just rockets.
The Senate’s marathon voting session on Trump’s bill kept the drama simmering. Musk’s X posts railing against the legislation show no signs of slowing. He’s even floated a new party, which could make the 2026 midterms a three-ring circus.
This public spat is a far cry from their cozy Oval Office press conference in May. Back then, Musk was Trump’s golden boy, bankrolling his campaign and leading DOGE. Now, they’re trading barbs like kids swapping Pokémon cards.
The Financial Times pegs Musk’s government haul at $20 billion, all won on merit, he insists. SpaceX’s contracts are a lifeline for NASA, and Tesla’s subsidies have electrified the EV market. But Trump’s not buying the “value for money” pitch.
What’s next for this billionaire brawl? Will DOGE sniff out Musk’s subsidies, or will Musk’s new party steal the spotlight? One thing’s clear: this feud’s got more twists than a SpaceX rocket’s trajectory.
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