'Would head back to South Africa': Donald Trump threatens Elon Musk - DOGE may haunt Tesla CEO now

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Monday night in US) hit back at billionaire Elon Musk, warning that without subsidies from the American government, the Tesla CEO would "probably head back home to South Africa."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "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. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one."



"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."


The US president also suggested that DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk once led, should now investigate the extent of subsidies flowing to Musk’s companies. "Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” Trump added.

This comes after Musk doubled down on his distaste for president Trump's "big, beautiful bill," calling it "political suicide for the Republican Party."

Musk also threatened to launch a new political party if the bill gets passed in the US Senate. "If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE," he said in another post.