Featured Image Credit: NBC / Contributor / Getty
The Musk family is speaking out about President Donald Trump's Trumpenomics tariff troubles, and with the POTUS accused of triggering a global trade war, it's no surprise that the world's richest man and his younger brother have plenty of opinions about the future of the USA.
Donald Trump had warned that he was going to levy harsh tariffs on enemies and allies alike, and after blanketing a 10% baseline tariff, he went on to bombard the likes of China, Vietnam, and the European Union with much harsher personalized tariffs.
He's also been lambasted for hitting some of the remotest areas of the world with tariffs, despite them being populated by penguins.
For those thinking that Canada and Mexico made it out unscathed, remember that they were slapped with 25% tariffs earlier this year.
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Elon Musk is among the 10 richest people in the world who have already been stung by the tariffs, and with Kimbal Musk being a major shareholder in the already struggling Tesla, he's decided to speak out.
Delivering a scathing takedown of President Trump, Kimbal Musk said he was surprised that he's become the "most high tax American President in generations." Taking aim at the tariffs, Musk added: "Through his tariff strategy, Trump has implemented a structural, permanent tax on the American consumer."
Saying that even if Trump is successful in bringing jobs back to America in terms of manufacturing, he warns: "Prices will remain high and the tax on consumption will remain the form of higher prices because we are simply not as good at making all things."
Echoing a lot of concerns right now, Musk concluded: "A tax on consumption also means less consumption. Which means less jobs. Which in turn leads to less consumption. And then even less jobs.
"America has incredible strengths. We should play to those strengths, and not be forced to play to our weaknesses. Same with the rest of the world."
Who would have thought that Trump was actually the most high tax American President in generations.
— 𝙺𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚕 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚔 🤠 (@kimbal) April 7, 2025
Through his tariff strategy, Trump has implemented a structural, permanent tax on the American consumer.
Even if he is successful in bringing jobs on shore through the tariff…
As a former director of SpaceX, and considering his continued involvement with Tesla, Kimbal Musk isn't afraid to air his concerns.
In 2025 alone, Tesla shares have dipped by a shocking 42% and it’s just recorded its worst quarter since 2022. It's far from the boom the EV brand enjoyed in the aftermath of Trump's election win and promises to make America 'great' again.
We did see Kimbal sell off a mass of Tesla stock, and although it was a pre-planned move, it didn't exactly instill confidence in the company.
As the impact of the tariffs starts to come into view and trillions are wiped off the stock market, expect more like the Musks to speak out.
Elon Musk has already questioned the tariffs, and with fears that they could have a potentially devastating effect on the space industry, we imagine his role as CEO of SpaceX will soon have him speaking out again.
All of this comes as Senator Ted Cruz referred to Musk as an 'angel' trying to do the right thing at the White House.
Speaking on his podcast, the Texas Republican said: "Elon is one of the angels. This is a good, good voice that is focused on US jobs that I hope the president is listening to."
