Former U.S. President Donald Trump stirred up controversy again, this time taking aim at billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk during a speech on cryptocurrency and economic reform. Trump suggested that Dogecoin (DOGE), the popular meme-based cryptocurrency, could save money by "looking at Musk's companies." However, he didn't stop there — delivering a pointed jab at Musk by saying, "Without government subsidies, Elon would have to head back to South Africa."
DOGE as the Focus in Trump's Business Model Comparison
In a surprising twist, Trump recommended the Dogecoin community draw inspiration from Elon Musk’s corporate playbook, citing Tesla and SpaceX’s strategic use of government subsidies and innovation to scale rapidly. According to Trump, "DOGE is wasting resources when it could learn from Elon — but not rely on him." This sparked intense discussion across crypto forums and social media, with many questioning Trump’s intentions and the accuracy of his claims.
Elon Musk Remains Silent Amid Renewed Political Jabs
Elon Musk, who has previously supported DOGE and engaged in public exchanges with Trump, has not responded to the latest comments. Musk's companies, especially Tesla and SpaceX, have benefited from billions in federal contracts and incentives. While critics argue Musk leverages taxpayer support, his supporters defend the subsidies as necessary to fuel innovation in EVs and space tech.
Crypto Community Reacts: Support and Backlash Split
Trump’s comments quickly went viral, dividing the crypto community. While some DOGE investors welcomed the suggestion to emulate Musk’s efficiency and scaling strategies, others viewed the attack as unnecessary and politically motivated. DOGE itself saw a slight price fluctuation, though analysts say the comments are unlikely to have long-term market impact.