Trump says DOGE should take a closer look at Elon Musk

President Trump said he could use the cost-cutting effort that Musk pitched during Trump’s campaign and led for months against the leader of Tesla and SpaceX, telling reporters on Tuesday the Department of Government Efficiency may review US funding for rocket launches, satellites and EVs, and that “not everyone wants an electric car.”

“DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump said as he walked along the White House’s South Lawn to board Marine One, echoing earlier posts on Truth Social that laid into Musk.

Musk “may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far,” Trump posted on Tuesday shortly after midnight. Without that government support, “Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”

The president told reporters he thought Musk was lashing out at him because the Tesla CEO was “very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated” and threatened that “he could lose a lot more than that.”

When asked about his threats to deport Musk, who was born in South Africa but holds US citizenship, Trump said that he would “have to take a look.” In an X post in response to Trump’s comments, Musk said that it was “so tempting to escalate this,” but that he would “refrain for now.”

--------

More on Bloomberg Television and Markets

Like this video? Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any videos from Bloomberg Markets & Finance

Visit for business news & analysis, uptotheminute market data, features, profiles and more.

Connect with Bloomberg Television on:

Connect with Bloomberg Business on:

More from Bloomberg:

Bloomberg Radio

Bloomberg Surveillance

Bloomberg Politics

Bloomberg Originals

Watch more on YouTube:

Bloomberg Technology

Bloomberg Originals

Bloomberg Quicktake

Bloomberg Espanol

Bloomberg Podcasts