Trump Tells Musk to 'Head Back Home to South Africa' in Escalating Feud
In a fiery rant on Truth Social early Tuesday, Trump deployed one of America's oldest and most charged political insults, telling the billionaire CEO to 'head back home to South Africa.'
The conflict ignited late last week after Musk launched a series of scathing attacks against Trump's signature legislation, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' With the Senate preparing to vote on the bill, Musk doubled down on his criticism, threatening to create a third party to compete with the Republicans and Democrats if the legislation passes.
'It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!' the tech mogul posted in anger on June 30. He followed up with a direct threat: 'Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.'
It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!
Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025Trump's response was swift and brutal.
'Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate,' Trump wrote. 'Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.'
He then pivoted from policy to a direct, personal assault. 'Elon may get more subsidies 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,' Trump continued. 'No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.'
The 'go back home' line is a historically loaded nativist trope, often used to question the legitimacy of immigrants and naturalized citizens. By invoking Musk's South African birth, Trump is using a powerful rhetorical weapon that suggests his opponent, despite being a U.S. citizen since 2002 and the head of critical American companies like SpaceX, is not a 'real' American and is therefore disloyal.
Trump concluded his post with an ominous suggestion aimed at the very government agency Musk himself created and led, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 'Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this?' Trump wrote. 'BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!'
The message is unambiguous. Trump is threatening to turn the full power of the U.S. government into a weapon to investigate and potentially dismantle the companies of a political enemy. Tesla and SpaceX have benefited from billions in federal tax credits and government contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense.
Musk, however, did not back down. He reacted defiantly on X, demanding that all government subsidies be eliminated. 'I am literally saying CUT IT ALL,' the billionaire posted in reply. 'Now.'
I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025He then hit where it hurts by targeting President Trump's leadership and supporting one of his chief Republican critics, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie is one of the few lawmakers in Trump's party to publicly oppose the spending bill. After a user on X urged support for Massie's reelection campaign, Musk replied with a simple, two-word promise: 'Me,' confirming he would be donating.
Lead us not into temptation
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025It's a stunning turn of events for a relationship that once saw Musk as a key, unconventional ally. Now, in the face of dissent, that alliance has curdled into a public display of dominance, where policy disagreements are met with threats of financial ruin and questions of national identity.
Me https://t.co/vMahHZ7rGd
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025
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