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“compiled:Sophia Bennett”
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for the Office of Government Efficiency to launch a formal investigation into what he described as “massive and possibly inappropriate subsidies” granted to Elon Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.
In a Truth Social post, Trump questioned the scale of federal support Musk has received, writing, “Billions in taxpayer money have flowed into the pockets of Elon Musk under the guise of innovation. It’s time for transparency and accountability.”
Trump’s statement comes amid growing scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans over corporate subsidies and tech sector favoritism in federal programs. While Musk has long touted the success of his ventures as largely private, analysts estimate that his companies have benefited from over $5 billion in direct and indirect government assistance over the past decade.
According to sources close to Trump’s camp, the former president believes Musk’s political influence has grown disproportionately and that the government may be rewarding “aligned interests” without adequate oversight.
“Elon Musk likes to act like a free-market hero,” Trump reportedly told aides. “But he’s been riding the taxpayer gravy train for years.”
The Office of Government Efficiency, a relatively new watchdog created under Trump’s first term, has not yet responded to the former president’s request. However, calls for tighter reviews of federal funding in sectors like clean energy, defense contracts, and AI research have been growing in recent months — especially with the U.S. national debt and deficit reaching historic highs.
Musk has not commented publicly on Trump’s demand but has previously defended government support as essential for breakthrough innovation in electric vehicles and space exploration.
The feud between the two billionaires-turned-political forces has intensified in recent months, with Trump accusing Musk of “disloyalty” and Musk subtly distancing himself from Trump-era politics.
Whether Trump’s call will lead to a formal investigation remains unclear, but it adds a fresh political twist to the ongoing debate over government subsidies, big tech power, and the future of federal innovation policy.
