The simmering tensions between billionaire Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump have escalated into a public feud over Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill. Weeks after an initial clash, Musk has intensified his attacks on the legislation, vowing to challenge and unseat politicians who support what he terms an "utterly insane and destructive" piece of legislation.

Musk, who notably spent at least $250 million supporting Trump's presidential campaign and previously led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—where he oversaw the reduction of approximately 120,000 federal employees—views the bill as a grave threat to the US national debt. He asserts that the proposed legislation would not only dramatically increase the debt but also negate the savings he claims were achieved through DOGE. In posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk publicly condemned politicians who campaigned on fiscal responsibility but then backed the bill, stating they "should hang their heads in shame" and warning they "will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth." He even threatened to create posters labeling them "liar" and accusing them of voting "to increase America's debt" by a staggering $5 trillion.

In response, Donald Trump swiftly retaliated, primarily via Truth Social, by launching a direct counter-attack on Musk's business ventures. Trump claimed Musk "may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far," particularly for his electric car business, Tesla. He asserted that "Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa," questioning the viability of his rocket launches, satellites, and electric car production without government financial aid. Trump provocatively suggested that DOGE, the very department Musk once led, should "take a good, hard, look at this" to uncover "BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!" Trump also highlighted his long-standing opposition to the EV Mandate, a stance he claims Musk was aware of even when endorsing him, emphasizing that electric cars are acceptable but mandates are not.

Musk has gone so far as to call the bill "political suicide for the Republican Party" and lambasted it as representing a "PORKY PIG PARTY!!" indicating that current political parties fail to truly represent the people's voice. This strong dissatisfaction led him to threaten the formation of a new political entity. Should the "insane spending bill" pass the US Senate, Musk stated, "the America Party will be formed the next day," aiming to provide a much-needed "alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty."

Despite the current animosity, Musk has previously expressed regret over some of his social media posts concerning Trump, including a now-deleted one that referenced the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. He had also initially described Trump's tax and spending bill as a "disgusting abomination." However, he later acknowledged that some of his previous criticisms "went too far," to which Trump reportedly responded positively, calling it "very nice." This history underscores the complex and often volatile relationship between the two powerful figures.