U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a fierce attack on billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, claiming the Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s empire would collapse without substantial government subsidies. The remarks, made via a social media post on June 30, underscore Trump’s ongoing criticism of electric vehicle (EV) mandates and federal clean energy policies.
“Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump wrote, referring to Musk’s country of birth. He went further to describe Musk as possibly “the largest recipient of government subsidies in history, by far.”
Trump’s comments come amid a heated national debate on clean energy incentives and the future of electric vehicles. While acknowledging that electric cars are “fine,” Trump reiterated his opposition to federal EV mandates, calling them “ridiculous” and suggesting that “not everyone should be forced to own one.”
The former president’s criticism was not limited to Tesla. He also targeted Musk’s broader business empire, including rocket launches by SpaceX and satellite projects such as Starlink. “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE,” Trump declared.
He concluded his statement with a cryptic remark: “Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” It remains unclear whether “DOGE” refers to the Dogecoin cryptocurrency—frequently promoted by Musk—a watchdog group, or a political ally.
Ironically, the statement follows Musk’s recent endorsement of Trump’s 2024 campaign. However, Musk has also expressed frustration with policy changes, including recent cuts to EV tax credits, which he described as “incredibly destructive” to the sector.
The clash highlights the growing tension between conservative opposition to green subsidies and the interests of tech entrepreneurs like Musk, who have historically relied on such incentives to innovate. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, debates over clean energy policy, subsidies, and the government’s role in tech innovation are poised to become flashpoints in the political arena.
