Former President Donald Trump has reignited a public feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk, aiming sharp criticism at the SpaceX founder while issuing bold threats tied to government funding and oversight. As the political stakes rise, you are witnessing a clash of titans whose personal animosities and ideological rifts continue to spill into the public square, shaping national conversations on technology, economics, and governance.
Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, late Monday night with a fiery message aimed directly at Musk. The outburst was triggered by Musk’s ongoing criticisms of what Trump calls the “Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping piece of proposed legislation that outlines significant changes in areas such as taxation, health care, immigration, and energy.
The bill, central to Trump’s policy vision, has faced increasing pushback, with Musk becoming one of its loudest detractors. Trump’s message revealed a personal and political vendetta, highlighting his growing impatience with Musk’s persistent public opposition.
Within the post, Trump took a jab at Musk’s reliance on federal subsidies, emphasizing the substantial financial support the entrepreneur has received over the years. “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,” Trump wrote.
This statement underscored Trump’s claim that Musk’s ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, would not survive without substantial government assistance, casting doubt on the self-made narrative often associated with Musk’s rise.
The former president then escalated the rhetoric further by suggesting that federal oversight could be turned against Musk’s companies. Trump introduced DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency—as a potential watchdog agency to investigate and possibly cut Musk’s funding.
He declared, “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!!!” This move was not just political theatre. It signaled a tangible threat to the industries Musk dominates and the government contracts that help sustain them.
Musk’s response came swiftly and bluntly via X, the platform he owns. Over the weekend, he urged Americans to closely examine the proposed Big Beautiful Bill. He argued the legislation would cause “immense strategic harm” to the United States and lead to the destruction of “millions of jobs in America.”
Musk’s warning reflected his belief that the bill prioritizes outdated industries at the expense of innovation. He painted it as a legislative step backward, one that could stifle the country’s technological momentum and derail progress in sectors critical to future economic growth.
Continuing his offensive on Monday evening, Musk escalated his disapproval by suggesting the formation of a new political party. His tweets indicated he wants to break away from what he dubbed the “PORKY PIG PARTY,” referring to the perceived excesses and broken promises within the political establishment. Musk promised a fresh political alternative if the controversial bill moves forward, signaling a serious attempt to shake up the current party landscape and inspire a new voting bloc.
Musk didn’t stop there. He accused supporters of the Big Beautiful Bill of being dishonest about its economic impact. Musk claimed the bill would raise the national deficit by $5 trillion, rather than reduce it. To emphasize his point, he posted an image of Pinocchio with his pants on fire, mocking lawmakers backing the legislation and reinforcing his narrative that the bill’s financial promises are falsehoods wrapped in political spin.
You’ll recall this isn’t the first public altercation between the two influential figures. Just weeks ago, Trump and Musk were embroiled in another online spat. The conflict began when Musk distanced himself from DOGE—a Trump-favored initiative—and openly questioned Trump’s policy direction. That triggered another round of insults, with Musk claiming that Trump wouldn’t have won the 2024 election without his support. In retaliation, Trump threatened to strip Musk of government contracts and financial backing.
Despite initially downplaying Musk’s criticisms and suggesting that the billionaire wasn’t worth his concern, Trump’s recent rants suggest otherwise. His ongoing attention to Musk’s every political move implies that the tech magnate now occupies a significant space in Trump’s political consciousness. As the bill advances and tensions rise, this feud appears far from over, and its consequences could ripple through both Washington and Silicon Valley in the months to come.
