Trump Threatens to Cut Musk’s Subsidies and Hints at Possible Deportation Amid Feud
President Donald Trump has taken aim at Elon Musk’s companies, threatening to cut off billions of dollars in government support.
This move follows a public disagreement after Musk criticized Trump’s new spending bill and promised to fight against lawmakers who supported it. When asked by reporters, Trump also did not rule out the possibility of deporting Musk, saying, “We’ll have to take a look.”
Musk, who runs Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink, warned on his social media platform that he would work to defeat any member of Congress who voted for what he called the “biggest debt increase in history.”
In response, Trump said he wants the Department of Government Efficiency to review and possibly end all federal money going to Musk’s companies.
Musk’s businesses have received at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, and tax credits over the last twenty years. SpaceX, which launches rockets and satellites, has $22 billion in contracts with agencies like NASA and the Pentagon.
Trump’s Push to Cut Federal Support Threatens Tesla and SpaceX
Tesla, which makes electric cars, depends on government tax credits that help make its vehicles more affordable. If these supports end, Tesla could lose a big part of its sales and face higher costs.
SpaceX could also lose important contracts that are key to America’s space program. Trump claims that cutting off this federal support would save the government a lot of money. He argues that Musk’s companies would struggle to survive without these funds.
The president’s actions have already worried investors, causing Tesla’s stock to drop by about $150 billion in value during the height of the dispute. This clash shows how much some of America’s biggest companies depend on government money.
It also highlights how quickly political disagreements can put entire industries at risk. If Trump follows through, the effects could be felt not just by Musk, but by the workers, customers, and industries that rely on his companies.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief