Trump Targets Musk Over Spending Row: "DOGE Might Eat Elon"
A war of words has erupted between US President Donald Trump and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, as the former allies clash publicly over government spending, electric vehicle incentives, and the very agency Musk once helped create — the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE vs. Elon? Trump Suggests Review of Subsidies
In a blistering social media post on Tuesday, Trump hinted at using DOGE — the cost-cutting watchdog agency founded with Musk’s help — to scrutinize subsidies enjoyed by Musk's companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far," Trump wrote.
"Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!"
The comments follow Trump's push for a controversial “big, beautiful bill,” which critics say could add over $3.3 trillion to the national debt. Musk, a vocal fiscal conservative, has condemned the legislation, accusing Trump of betraying the budget-cutting mission they once shared.
Musk Fires Back: “CUT IT ALL”
Musk quickly responded on his platform X:
"I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now."
The Tesla CEO also posted a graph showing the ballooning national debt, captioned:
“When are they going to flatten this curve?”
In a series of scathing posts, Musk blasted lawmakers who voted for the bill, accusing them of hypocrisy and pledging to oppose their re-election bids. He even floated the idea of forming a new political party to challenge both Democrats and Republicans.
EV Incentives at the Center of the Dispute
At the heart of the feud lies a critical clause in Trump’s budget that removes federal incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) — a move that would impact Tesla directly.
Trump, speaking to reporters, didn’t hold back:
“He’s upset that he’s losing his EV mandate. He could lose a lot more than that.”
In response, Musk reposted a past interview where he claimed Tesla would be better off without EV subsidies, stating that their removal would “improve Tesla’s competitive position significantly.”
DOGE’s Future and Political Fallout
Once hailed as a bipartisan initiative, DOGE now finds itself at the center of a political and personal battle, with Trump warning that the very agency Musk co-founded might be used against him.
“DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump said.
With both titans doubling down, this clash is about more than just budget line items — it’s a power struggle between two of the most influential figures in American politics and business.
As the national debt rises and the 2026 midterms loom, the Trump-Musk feud could reshape the landscape of government spending, corporate subsidies, and political alliances.
