President Donald Trump has intensified his ongoing dispute with Elon Musk by suggesting a federal review of government subsidies supporting Musk's companies. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — an agency the two co-founded — should investigate Musk’s reliance on federal support, implying it could save the government billions.
The fight follows an increase in tensions between Trump and Musk regarding economic legislation that Trump proposed, during which Musk lashed out about predicted debt issues. Although no official action has been declared thus far, the president's comments have sparked concern about the future of Tesla and SpaceX and their contracts with the federal government.
In his post, President Trump criticized Musk for receiving what he called the highest level of government subsidies in history. “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump stated. He further proposed that DOGE examine these subsidies to identify potential cost savings, writing, “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!”
DOGE was introduced at the beginning of 2025 as a bipartisan efficiency project whose two key architects were Trump and Musk. The agency was tasked with streamlining federal expenditures, and its name was also seen as a nod to the meme-based Dogecoin cryptocurrency, which both figures once supported.
Trump’s comments follow Musk’s renewed criticism of the administration’s flagship legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes tax cuts, immigration reforms, and provisions favorable to crypto firms. Critics, including Musk, argue that the bill could add over $3 trillion to the national debt.
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Musk responded on his platform X by reaffirming his position on reducing government spending, stating, “I am saying CUT IT ALL. Now.” The Tesla CEO has accused lawmakers of hypocrisy, saying those who campaigned on fiscal restraint but support the bill should “hang their heads in shame.”
The Tesla founder also called for the formation of a new political party, branding the current system the “PORKY PIG PARTY” and warning that the legislation could harm US industries and employment. According to Musk, the proposed bill supports outdated industries at the expense of future innovation.
Trump's pressure on Musk once again may influence not only the financing of the federal budget but also the course of action of the DOGE agency. Since both participate in crypto, government tech policy, and expansive federal projects on a large scale, their feud in the media creates confusion across these sectors.