Trump Threatens to Send Elon Musk Back to South Africa by Withdrawing Subsidies to His Companies
Donald Trump engages again in a war of statements with the warning of sending him back to South Africa
The war of statements between President Donald Trump and the magnate Elon Musk is intensifying with the veiled threat of withdrawing millions of dollars in subsidies granted by the government from his companies.
Since the visionary businessman South African is no longer in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he became one of the main detractors of the “big and beautiful bill” promoted by the head of the nation and which is about to be voted on to define public spending for next year.
"It is evident, with the excessive spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS, that we live in a one-party country: the PIG PARTY! It is time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," wrote the founder of companies such as Tesla and SpaceX recently.
These comments were not well received in the White House and through a publication on the Truth Social platform, Donald Trump lashed out at the figure who contributed more than $200 million to his campaign last year, making it clear that an order from him could send him and his companies back to his country.
"Elon could receive by far more subsidies than any other person in history, and without them, he would probably have to shut down and return to South Africa. No more rocket launches, satellites, and electric car production, and our country would save a fortune.
Maybe we should ask DOGE to take a hard look at this? “There is so much money to be saved!!!” he wrote.
The 79-year-old Republican stressed in his message that he has never agreed to support electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel-powered ones as Musk intends.
"Elon Musk knew, long before he so vehemently supported me for President, that I was strongly opposed to an EV mandate. It's ridiculous, and it's always been a big part of my campaign. Electric cars are great, but not everyone should be forced to have one," he said, alluding to the New York magnate's displeasure at seeing the government promoting oil as the engine of the economy and the automotive industry.
Emboldened, Elon Musk responded to the president in a defiant tone that he could withdraw subsidies to his companies as soon as possible.