Trump Tells Musk to "Head Again Dwelling to South Africa" in Escalating Feud

The connection between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as soon as a strong alliance, now seems fully damaged. In a brand new escalation in a single day, the U.S. President and the world’s richest man traded a collection of threats which have formalized their political divorce.

In a fiery rant on Fact Social early Tuesday, Trump deployed one in every of America’s oldest and most charged political insults, telling the billionaire CEO to “head again dwelling to South Africa.”

The battle ignited late final week after Musk launched a collection of scathing assaults in opposition to Trump’s signature laws, the “One Huge Lovely Invoice.” With the Senate making ready to vote on the invoice, Musk doubled down on his criticism, threatening to create a 3rd social gathering to compete with the Republicans and Democrats if the laws passes.

“It’s apparent with the insane spending of this invoice, which will increase the debt ceiling by a report FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we reside in a one social gathering nation – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!” the tech mogul posted in anger on June 30. He adopted up with a direct menace: “Time for a brand new political social gathering that really cares concerning the individuals.”

It’s apparent with the insane spending of this invoice, which will increase the debt ceiling by a report FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we reside in a one-party nation – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!

Time for a brand new political social gathering that really cares concerning the individuals.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025

Trump’s response was swift and brutal.

“Elon Musk knew, lengthy earlier than he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I used to be strongly in opposition to the EV Mandate,” Trump wrote. “Electrical automobiles are nice, however not everybody needs to be pressured to personal one.”

He then pivoted from coverage to a direct, private assault. “Elon could get extra subsidies than any human being in historical past, by far, and with out subsidies, Elon would in all probability have to shut up store and head again dwelling to South Africa,” Trump continued. “No extra Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electrical Automotive Manufacturing, and our Nation would save a FORTUNE.”

The “return dwelling” line is a traditionally loaded nativist trope, typically used to query the legitimacy of immigrants and naturalized residents. By invoking Musk’s South African beginning, Trump is utilizing a strong rhetorical weapon that implies his opponent, regardless of being a U.S. citizen since 2002 and the pinnacle of important American corporations like SpaceX, isn’t a “actual” American and is subsequently disloyal.

Trump concluded his submit with an ominous suggestion aimed on the very authorities company Musk himself created and led, the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE). “Maybe we should always have DOGE take , arduous, take a look at this?” Trump wrote. “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”

The message is unambiguous. Trump is threatening to show the complete energy of the U.S. authorities right into a weapon to analyze and doubtlessly dismantle the businesses of a political enemy. Tesla and SpaceX have benefited from billions in federal tax credit and authorities contracts from NASA and the Division of Protection.

Musk, nevertheless, didn’t again down. He reacted defiantly on X, demanding that every one authorities subsidies be eradicated. “I’m actually saying CUT IT ALL,” the billionaire posted in reply. “Now.”

I’m actually saying CUT IT ALL. Now.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025

He then hit the place it hurts by focusing on President Trump’s management and supporting one in every of his chief Republican critics, Consultant Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie is without doubt one of the few lawmakers in Trump’s social gathering to publicly oppose the spending invoice. After a consumer on X urged help for Massie’s reelection marketing campaign, Musk replied with a easy, two-word promise: “Me,” confirming he can be donating.

Lead us not into temptation

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025

It’s a shocking flip of occasions for a relationship that when noticed Musk as a key, unconventional ally. Now, within the face of dissent, that alliance has curdled right into a public show of dominance, the place coverage disagreements are met with threats of monetary damage and questions of nationwide id.