Trump Says Musk Would 'Head Back Home To South Africa' Without Subsidies — Tesla CEO Dares President To 'Cut It All'

The truce that had been in place between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, following their fiery social-media exchanges seen earlier this month, has been violated. The U.S. President lashed out at the Tesla CEO, who stepped up his criticism of Trump’s “one big, beautiful” tax bill.

Musk’s latest volley of attacks against the bill came after it narrowly cleared an initial Senate hurdle. The Republicans hope to get the bill across the finish line before July 4.

Tesla stock has already been underperforming the megacaps, and the renewal of the feud could put further pressure.

The world’s richest man took exception, specifically to the increase in the debt ceiling. 

Tagging Republican Representatives Chip Roy (R-Texas), and Andy Harris (R-Md.), who currently serves as the Chair of the most-conservative Republican Bloc, the House Freedom Caucus, Musk said, “How can you call yourself the Freedom Caucus if you vote for a DEBT SLAVERY bill with the biggest debt ceiling increase in history?”

He questioned the logic behind raising the debt ceiling. “Hitting the debt ceiling is the only thing that will actually force the government to cut waste and fraud,” he said, adding that “That’s why the debt ceiling legislation exists!”

Musk doubled down on the Republican party, calling it “the PORKY PIG PARTY!!” as the “insane” spending proposed by the bill increases the debt ceiling by a record $5 trillion. This goes on to show “we live in a one-party country,” he said.

He warned that every member of Congress who campaigned for reducing spending and then voted for the biggest debt increase in history will lose their primary in 2026. 

Musk saw the need for an alternative to the “Democrat-Republican uniparty,” adding that if the spending bill passes, “the America Party” will be formed. 

Trump did not back down. Posting on Truth Social, the president said, “Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate.”

While stating that electric cars should be an option, not a mandate, Trump warned that without the EV federal tax credit, Tesla’s Musk may have to close down.

“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,” the president said.

He also suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) investigating Musk’s ventures, which would potentially save “BIG MONEY.” Musk was appointed to lead the quasi-governmental DOGE, set up to identify wasteful government spending, when Trump began his second term. 

He stepped down from the role in late May amid lawsuits questioning the constitutional propriety of DOGE and pressure from Tesla shareholders to focus on his EV venture.

Responding to the post, Musk said, “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.”

The exchange stirred retail traders on Stocktwits, where Tesla (TSLA) surged to the top of trending tickers early Tuesday morning. Community sentiment flipped ‘bearish,’ with some users worried about the stock’s valuation and exposure to policy risk amid Musk’s political entanglements.

Tesla shares are down roughly 20% this year, and the latest drama threatens to add volatility just days after a mostly encouraging Robotaxi rollout.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

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