Feud Intensifies Between Trump and Musk Over Legislative Dispute
In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), suggesting it might need to “eat Elon” in response to Elon Musk’s recent criticisms of Trump’s legislative agenda. The tech billionaire has launched a series of attacks on Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” escalating tensions between the two former allies.
Trump, speaking to the media before a trip to the Florida Everglades, stated, “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible?” He further highlighted Musk’s frustration over the potential termination of the electric vehicle mandate, stating, “He gets a lot of subsidies. But, Elon was very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated.”
When asked about the possibility of deporting Musk, who hails from South Africa, Trump remarked, “I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look.” The president’s relationship with Musk began to sour in June when Trump announced plans to end the electric vehicle mandate, a move that would directly impact Tesla. Trump’s signature on congressional resolutions has already nullified California’s stringent diesel engine regulations and electric vehicle sales mandates.
Commenting on different vehicle options, Trump noted, “When you look at it … not everybody wants an electric car. I don’t want an electric car. I want to have maybe gasoline. Maybe electric, maybe a hybrid. Maybe some day a hydrogen. You have a hydrogen car, it has one problem: it blows up.”
Amid the escalating feud, Musk responded to a video of Trump’s remarks by posting on X, “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.” This exchange follows Musk’s warning to lawmakers that he would campaign against them if they supported Trump’s bill, which aims to advance policies on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the national debt.
Musk, once a special government employee under the Trump administration, has found allies in some Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Rand Paul, who oppose the bill due to concerns over a potential $5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling. Musk’s recent post on X featured a fiery image of Pinocchio with the caption, “LIAR Voted to increase America’s DEBT by 5,000,000,000.00” alongside a warning to politicians.
Trump, responding to Musk’s criticism, suggested DOGE should scrutinize the subsidies benefiting Musk’s ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, posting on Truth Social, “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. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
The tension between the two has been brewing since May, when Musk expressed his disappointment over the bill, remarking, “Call your Senator, Call your Congressman. Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL.” As the deadline to pass the bill approaches, Musk has ramped up his efforts, criticizing the legislation’s financial implications and advocating for a new political party that prioritizes the people’s interests.
In another post on X, Musk questioned, “What’s the point of a debt ceiling if we keep raising it?” and added, “All I’m asking is that we don’t bankrupt America.”
Original Story at www.foxnews.com