Elon Musk, Donald Trump fighting again

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Elon Musk's companies receive from the federal government, in an escalation of the war of words between the president and the world's richest man, one-time allies who have since fallen out.

The feud reignited on Monday when Musk, who spent hundreds of millions on Trump's re-election, renewed his criticism of Trump's tax-cut and spending bill, which would eliminate subsidies for electric vehicle purchases that have benefited Tesla, the leading U.S. EV maker.

Musk has repeatedly criticised Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill", suggesting that it undermines the work he undertook to cut government spending.

A row between Trump and Musk first blew up last month, with the pair trading barbs publicly before Musk backtracked on some of his attacks.

Congress is currently voting on Trump's bill. The president's Republican Party holds majorities in both chambers, though some lawmakers in the party have voted against it - siding with opposition Democrats.

The proposed legislation includes increased spending for border security, defence and energy production that would be partially offset by controversial cuts to healthcare and food-support programmes.