US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s business empire would not survive without government subsidies, suggesting that Musk would “probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa” if federal support were withdrawn.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had always opposed the electric vehicle (EV) mandate, a policy direction he called “ridiculous” and a central part of his campaign stance.
“Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate. It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign,” Trump wrote.
Trump added that while electric cars may suit some consumers, it is wrong to compel every American to buy one. He also accused Musk of benefiting more than anyone else from federal subsidies, including for space and satellite projects. “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,” he added.
Also Read: Elon Musk vows to launch 'America Party' if Trump’s ‘insane’ spending bill passes
Trump's comments come right after his Musk, his key ally during the elections, launched a blistering attack on the US President’s marquee second-term legislation, the so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, threatening to form a new “America Party” if the controversial bill clears the Senate.
The Senate is racing through a marathon vote session to pass the bill before the self-imposed July 4 deadline.
A few weeks ago, too, Trump-Musk had a major fallout for having contrasting views on the said Bill and the timing was only bad as Musk had just quit White House.
Elon Musk’s repeated public criticism of the proposed EV mandate bill has deepened tensions with the US President, marking a significant break in a relationship that once saw the Tesla CEO spend nearly $300 million to back Trump’s re-election campaign and head the administration’s federal cost-cutting arm, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, currently the world’s richest individual, has said the bill could sharply increase the national debt and undo the fiscal savings he claims were achieved under DOGE.
His opposition to the legislation stands in contrast to the policy priorities of the Trump camp, which has sought to position EV mandates as a key issue in its 2024 campaign messaging.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had always opposed the electric vehicle (EV) mandate, a policy direction he called “ridiculous” and a central part of his campaign stance.
“Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate. It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign,” Trump wrote.
Trump added that while electric cars may suit some consumers, it is wrong to compel every American to buy one. He also accused Musk of benefiting more than anyone else from federal subsidies, including for space and satellite projects. “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,” he added.
Also Read: Elon Musk vows to launch 'America Party' if Trump’s ‘insane’ spending bill passes
Trump's comments come right after his Musk, his key ally during the elections, launched a blistering attack on the US President’s marquee second-term legislation, the so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, threatening to form a new “America Party” if the controversial bill clears the Senate.
The Senate is racing through a marathon vote session to pass the bill before the self-imposed July 4 deadline.
A few weeks ago, too, Trump-Musk had a major fallout for having contrasting views on the said Bill and the timing was only bad as Musk had just quit White House.
Elon Musk’s repeated public criticism of the proposed EV mandate bill has deepened tensions with the US President, marking a significant break in a relationship that once saw the Tesla CEO spend nearly $300 million to back Trump’s re-election campaign and head the administration’s federal cost-cutting arm, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, currently the world’s richest individual, has said the bill could sharply increase the national debt and undo the fiscal savings he claims were achieved under DOGE.
His opposition to the legislation stands in contrast to the policy priorities of the Trump camp, which has sought to position EV mandates as a key issue in its 2024 campaign messaging.
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