Trump Tells Musk to ‘Head Back to South Africa’ as Feud Over Tax Bill Escalates

From bromance to battle: Musk and Trump clash over EV subsidies and tax spending

The icy tension between US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk exploded again this week, as their war of words reached an unusually personal note, with Trump suggesting Musk would be packing his bags for South Africa without US government subsidies.

It started when Musk took to his social media platform X on Tuesday, warning Republican senators that supporting Trump’s latest “Big Beautiful Bill” would be political suicide. He accused Congress of hypocrisy for campaigning on spending cuts, then turning around to back what he calls the “biggest debt increase in history.”

“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame,” Musk posted.

Musk’s real gripe? EV credits at stake

Musk claims his criticism is about the ballooning cost of the bill and its impact on innovation and job creation. But Trump isn’t buying that narrative.

In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump lashed out, implying that Musk’s real concern is the phasing out of electric vehicle tax credits, a move that would hurt Tesla and other Musk-linked ventures. He also made a bold swipe at Musk’s citizenship status.

“Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump wrote.
“No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production and our country would save a fortune.”

He even jokingly suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) , a playful jab referencing Musk’s involvement with Dogecoin, should take a closer look at the “billions” Musk’s companies allegedly receive.

A high-profile fallout

This isn’t the first time the world’s richest man and the president have butted heads. Their relationship collapsed last month after Musk publicly trashed Trump’s tax bill, calling it a “pork-filled” monstrosity. This was just days after Musk received glowing praise in the Oval Office for his economic advice.

The spat turned personal when Musk suggested, without evidence, that Trump had closer ties to Jeffrey Epstein than acknowledged, hinting at a government cover-up.

That post sparked a media firestorm, forcing Musk to walk back his comments. He later said he regretted going too far, a sentiment Trump accepted in a calmer moment during a New York Post interview.

“Things like that happen. I don’t blame him for anything,” Trump said at the time.

But clearly, the peace didn’t last.

What this means for South Africa

Trump’s quip about Musk “heading back to South Africa” raised eyebrows and sparked debate locally. Musk, born in Pretoria, left for the US in the 1990s and built his fortune on American soil. But many South Africans still view him as “one of ours” even if only culturally.

On social media, South Africans were split. Some saw Trump’s jab as offensive and xenophobic. Others joked that “Musk should come back and fix Eskom.”

Senate showdown still underway

Meanwhile, the US Senate remains locked in tense negotiations over the controversial tax bill. Republican leaders are scrambling to secure enough support as Musk continues rallying public opposition.

Whatever the outcome, the showdown between Trump and Musk has turned into a battle of billionaire egos, with ripple effects far beyond Washington.

And as for heading back to South Africa? Musk hasn’t responded, but knowing him, a fiery tweet (or rocket launch) may be coming soon.

{Source: Stuff}

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