Trump threatens Elon Musk with DOGE as feud flares up: 'Close up shop and head back home to South Africa'

WASHINGTON, DC: Just when it seemed the bromance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk was back on track, tensions have flared once again, this time, over a massive government spending bill.

The president is now at odds with Musk and has issued a pointed warning that could threaten the billionaire’s business empire.

According to the Daily Mail, Trump took to Truth Social early on July 1, suggesting that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could scrutinize Musk’s government funding.

“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far,” Trump wrote. “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. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard look at this? Big money to be saved!!!”

How Elon Musk went from MAGA megadonor to political rebel

Donald Trump appears rattled by Elon Musk’s very public meltdown over the president’s signature “big, beautiful bill.”

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, once a major Trump donor, has all but declared political war, threatening to launch a new party if the legislation passes.

“Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly endorsed me for President, that I was firmly against the EV mandate,” Trump fired back on Truth Social. “It is ridiculous and was always a major part of my campaign. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.”

Musk, who reportedly dropped nearly $300 million backing Trump’s re-election and once led the DOGE, is now blasting the bill as a national catastrophe. While he hasn’t directly responded to Trump, he’s been relentlessly attacking the legislation across his platform, X.

Musk warned the bill would “bankrupt America” and erase the savings he claims DOGE secured under his leadership.

“Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people,” Musk posted. 

“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,” he vowed. “Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a voice,” he added

Elon Musk rages against Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'

Musk’s fury has only intensified. On June 28, as the Senate took up the bill, he reentered the fray, slamming it as “utterly insane and destructive.” By June 30, he was out for blood.

He blasted lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but supported the bill, saying they “should hang their heads in shame!” He vowed, “And they will lose their primary next year if it’s the last thing I do on this Earth.”

Musk then posted what appeared to be an AI-edited image of Pinocchio engulfed in flames, warning it would become the new poster for every member of Congress who voted in favor of the bill.

“Anyone who campaigned on the promise of reducing spending, but continues to vote on the biggest debt ceiling increase in history will see their face on this poster in the primary next year,” he declared.

Even the conservative Freedom Caucus didn’t escape Musk’s wrath.

“How can you call yourself the Freedom Caucus if you vote for a Debt Slavery bill with the biggest debt ceiling increase in history?” Musk blasted, tagging @RepAndyHarrisMD and @chiproytx directly.

Just hours before that post, Musk mocked Republicans for not being conservative enough as senators debated amendments to Trump’s budget.

With a full Senate vote looming before Trump’s July 4 deadline, the stakes are high. According to the Daily Mail, the Senate’s version of the bill is projected to add between $3.3 trillion and $4.5 trillion to the national debt.

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