Trump takes aim at Musk over EV subsidies, suggests Tesla would collapse without govt support
Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Tesla CEO Elon Musk, alleging that Musk’s businesses would not survive without federal subsidies. Trump suggested that Musk would "probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa" if government support was withdrawn.
Sharing a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated his opposition to the electric vehicle (EV) mandate, calling it “ridiculous.” He said that while electric cars are acceptable, Americans should not be forced to buy them. He also called on the Department of Government Efficiency to scrutinise subsidies granted to Musk.
"Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate… Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one," Trump wrote.
He further alleged that Musk may have received “more subsidies than any human being in history” and that removing such support could result in the end of Tesla’s operations, SpaceX launches, and satellite projects.
The remarks come in response to Musk’s recent criticism of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," which he said worsens the national debt. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk labelled the bill as evidence of a “one-party country” and called for the formation of a new political party. Referring to the debt ceiling hike, he called the Republican Party the “Porky Pig Party” and said the legislation was “political suicide” for the GOP.
Musk and Trump have had a tense relationship in recent years. Musk previously left the Trump administration and later called for Trump’s impeachment, citing alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein’s case files.
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Assam records nearly 18 pc voter turnout in first two hours of assembly polls
Guwahati (PTI): A voter turnout of 17.87 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of the assembly elections in Assam, where the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is striving to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago.
Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 17.87 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters exercised their franchise till 9 am, officials said.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray for the elections, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress.
The river island of Majuli recorded the highest turnout in the first two hours at 20.03 per cent, while Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region witnessed the lowest at 15.32 per cent.
Voters began queuing outside polling booths since early morning, despite rain in many parts of the state.
Prominent candidates who have cast their votes so far include Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia in Nazira, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, and BJP's Pradyut Bordoloi.
Votes are being cast at 31,490 polling stations across the 35 districts of the state, with polling concluding at 5 pm.
Among the heavyweight candidates whose fates would be decided in this election are Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi.
The Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituents Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats, respectively.
In the opposition bloc, Raijor Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) 10, CPI(M) 3 and APHLC 2. Other parties in the fray include AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), besides 258 Independents.
Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while nine constituencies -- Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok and Lakhipur -- have only two candidates each.
