United States President Donald Trump has suggested he may consider deporting Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk amid growing tensions over Musk’s criticism of his administration’s flagship spending proposal.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump addressed questions about his deteriorating relationship with Musk, a South African-born billionaire who was once his top political donor.
When asked directly whether Musk could face deportation, Trump responded, “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.”
Trump didn’t stop there. He joked that the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, a government agency Musk once headed before resigning in late May, might be unleashed on the tech mogul.
“We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump quipped.
The escalating feud appears to have been sparked by Musk’s public opposition to Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a multi-trillion-dollar package initially designed to boost infrastructure and green energy.
According to Trump, Musk’s criticism stems from the removal of several provisions supporting electric vehicle (EV) incentives — a sector crucial to Musk’s Tesla empire.
“He’s losing his EV mandate,” Trump said. “He’s very upset about things, but you know, he could lose a lot more than that. Elon can lose a lot more than that.”
On Monday night, Trump had already aired his grievances on his Truth Social platform, where he alleged that Musk’s businesses depend heavily on government subsidies. “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump posted.
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Musk, currently the world’s richest man, played a pivotal role in Trump’s 2024 election campaign, both financially and publicly. However, their alliance has unraveled dramatically in recent weeks.
Musk has been vocal in denouncing the spending bill, accusing Trump’s Republican base of abandoning their commitment to innovation and sustainability.
In a series of recent interviews and social media posts, Musk also threatened to support the formation of a new political movement dubbed the “America Party” if the bill passes without restoring EV-friendly policies.
Political analysts suggest that the rift between the two titans could reshape the dynamics of both the tech world and Washington.
Musk, whose companies have long benefited from federal contracts and tax breaks, may now find himself at odds with an administration he once backed.
While no formal proceedings related to Musk’s residency status have been initiated, Trump’s remarks mark a rare instance of a sitting U.S. president openly suggesting the possible deportation of a high-profile business figure for political reasons.
The White House has not issued any official clarification, and neither Musk nor his representatives have publicly responded to the deportation threat as of press time.
As the dispute unfolds, many are watching closely to see whether the once-powerful alliance between the tech billionaire and the president has now turned into a full-blown political showdown.
PunchNewspaper
