The relationship between two of the most influential men in the United States, President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, took a dramatic turn this morning following a sharp warning issued by the President regarding government subsidies and Musk’s business empire.

President Trump stated that without billions in federal subsidies, Musk would likely have no choice but to “close up shop and head back home to South Africa.” This came in a series of social media posts early Tuesday, as the President’s new “Big Beautiful Bill,” a comprehensive legislative proposal combining tax reforms and spending adjustments, is set to be enacted.

The legislation is expected to include provisions that could strip various federal subsidies and impose higher tax obligations, which has drawn strong criticism from Musk.

While acknowledging Musk’s recent endorsement, President Trump reiterated his firm stance on a core policy position: his opposition to the federal electric vehicle (EV) mandate.

“Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV mandate,” President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “It is ridiculous and was always a major part of my campaign.”

He continued, delivering a direct jab at Musk’s business model: “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. No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production, and our country would save a fortune.” President Trump also suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative Musk once headed, could investigate the subsidies received by Musk’s companies.

Musk, who was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and became a U.S. citizen in 2002, has long been viewed as a symbol of innovation and success in American entrepreneurship. However, the President’s latest comments, which directly questioned the sustainability of Musk’s companies without government support and included a pointed reference to his origins, have intensified tensions between the two figures. The ongoing feud has also seen Musk criticize the “Big Beautiful Bill” for potentially increasing national debt and has led him to float the idea of forming a new political party.

By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com