President Donald Trump has intensified his feud with Elon Musk, labeling the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as a ‘monster’ that might ‘eat’ the billionaire tech CEO after Musk vowed to primary lawmakers who support Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ The controversy has escalated following Musk’s public warnings to Republicans who back the legislation, which would significantly increase the nation’s debt ceiling and advance Trump’s agenda on tax cuts and energy policy.
Trump, who previously worked closely with Musk as a special government employee, now accuses the tech billionaire of relying on massive federal subsidies to sustain his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. In a recent post on X, Trump claimed, ‘Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate.’ This remark came after Musk criticized Trump’s stance on electric vehicle (EV) mandates, which would have affected Tesla’s operations.
Musk, who has been a vocal critic of the legislation, recently issued a series of posts on X warning Republicans to distance themselves from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ or risk being challenged in primary elections. He warned, ‘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.’ Musk’s warning was accompanied by a fiery image of Pinocchio on fire, captioned with a message about the $5 trillion debt increase.
Tensions have been rising as Musk, once a close ally of Trump, has become a vocal critic of the president’s legislative agenda. The ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ a budget reconciliation bill passed by the House, has drawn criticism for its potential impact on the national debt and spending. Musk’s public campaign against the bill has raised concerns among Republican lawmakers, with some dismissing his influence as minimal. However, the threat of primary challenges looms large, adding a new layer of political tension as the July 4 deadline approaches for passing the legislation.
Trump’s recent comments have also highlighted his disdain for Musk’s business practices, with the president suggesting that DOGE should investigate how government subsidies support Musk’s ventures. He claimed, ‘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.’ This rhetoric underscores the deepening divide between the two figures, who once collaborated but now find themselves at odds over fiscal policy and corporate influence in government.
As the political battle intensifies, the broader implications for American politics remain unclear. The clash between Musk and Trump has become a focal point in the debate over government spending, corporate influence, and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. With the stakes high and the deadline looming, the outcome of this feud could have lasting consequences for both the president and the tech mogul, as well as for the future of the nation’s fiscal and political landscape.