Trump says he won't 'destroy' Musk's companies by taking away subsidies

In a recent social media post, former President Donald Trump refuted allegations suggesting that he intends to undermine Elon Musk’s businesses by revoking their government subsidies. Trump emphasized his commitment to the success of Musk's companies, stating, "Everyone is claiming that I will destroy Elon’s companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large-scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not true! I want Elon, and all businesses in our country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!" He continued, highlighting the interconnectedness of corporate success and national prosperity: "The better they do, the better the USA does, and that's good for all of us." This statement comes amid a growing rift between Trump and Musk, sparked by Musk’s criticisms of the president's major spending bill and further escalated by the CEO's remarks about Trump’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein. The friction has intensified since June when Trump hinted at the possibility of cutting government contracts that benefit Musk, especially regarding the contentious "Big Beautiful Bill." The relationship has been complex, with Musk previously supporting Trump’s re-election efforts and even leading initiatives aimed at government efficiency. On a recent earnings call, Musk warned investors that Tesla might face some challenging quarters ahead due to tariff impacts and the imminent expiration of federal electric vehicle incentives. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed concerns about federal agencies collaborating with Musk’s AI venture, xAI, indicating a potential shift in the administration's stance towards Musk's growing influence in the tech sector.