Trump and Musk in Feud Over Electric Vehicle Mandates
Former President Donald Trump recently commented on tech mogul Elon Musk, suggesting that the government’s efficiency department is like “a monster who has to go back and eat Elon.” This was in response to Musk’s criticism of Trump’s proposed “one big beautiful bill.”
During a press event, Trump remarked, “Doge is a monster who has to go back and eat Elon. Isn’t that terrible? He’ll get a lot of subsidies.” He indicated that Musk seemed upset about the potential end of electric vehicle mandates, which would notably affect Tesla.
When asked if he might deport Musk, Trump ambiguously replied, “I don’t know, we have to look.” He elaborated on his previous statements regarding how their relationship had shifted once Musk started discussing eliminating the EV mandates that favor his company.
On June 12, Trump signed resolutions to abolish California’s strict vehicle regulations, asserting, “Not everyone wants an electric vehicle.” He added, “I don’t want an electric car. Maybe a hybrid. Maybe someday hydrogen—though, you know, they can explode.”
Political Tensions Rise
This week, Musk escalated his feud with Trump by warning lawmakers via social media regarding the consequences of supporting the “one big beautiful bill.” He stated that those who campaign on curbing spending but support this legislation would face repercussions in the next elections.
In a post, Musk illustrated his point with an image of Pinocchio, hinting that politicians are not being truthful about the bill’s financial implications. Previously, Musk had been part of the Trump administration’s efforts on government efficiency and had a notable presence at various public events with Trump. However, this collaboration has strained as discussions about the contentious bill have heated up.
The proposed Budget Settlement Bill, which aims to advance Trump’s priorities in taxes, immigration, and energy, is currently under consideration in the Senate. Musk has aligned himself with Republican figures like Senator Rand Paul, who warns that the bill could inflate the national debt by $5 trillion.
Amid all this, Trump shared late-night thoughts on social media, saying, “Doge is good,” while emphasizing that government subsidies could uplift Musk’s ventures like Tesla and SpaceX. He went on to mention that without these subsidies, Musk might be forced to “close his shop” and return to South Africa, effectively halting his operations.
Trump reflected on his criticisms of electric vehicles, remembering that he opposed the mission long before Musk backed him in the presidential race, asserting, “Electric cars are fine, but no one should be forced into that.”
Senate Support Wavers
Trump’s allies in the Senate downplayed Musk’s influence, suggesting he may not be as pivotal a player as he believes. Trump commented that Musk could be facing significant losses, indicating a shift in dynamics.
Musk had voiced disappointment regarding Trump’s latest legislative efforts, expressing intent to gather Republican lawmakers to oppose the bill in subsequent posts. He encouraged constituents to reach out to their senators to express their concerns.
As the deadline for this legislation looms nearer, Musk has continued to amplify his critique, branding it as reckless spending and highlighting the potential for catastrophic increases in national debt. He reiterated the urgency of not allowing America to approach bankruptcy, questioning the rationale behind continual debt increases.
