In a stunning escalation of hostilities between two of the most powerful figures in the US, President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would “take a look” at possibly deporting Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, further deepening their increasingly personal and political feud.
When asked by reporters if he would consider removing Musk from the country, Trump replied, “I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look.” The remark has ignited speculation, especially in light of the tech billionaire’s vocal opposition to Trump’s flagship tax and spending proposal dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
‘May Have to Head Back to South Africa,’ Donald Trump Warns
Shortly before his deportation comment, Trump lashed out at Musk on Truth Social, alleging that the billionaire “may have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” citing Musk’s extensive reliance on federal contracts, subsidies, and tax breaks.
“Without those benefits,” Trump claimed, “his companies would collapse—no rockets, no Teslas, nothing.” He even called for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—which Musk once headed—to investigate Musk’s finances, stating, “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
Musk swiftly responded on X (formerly Twitter), “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.” The comment doubled down on his earlier stance calling the spending bill a “disgusting abomination” and a betrayal by lawmakers who once promised to reduce government debt.
Musk also warned that the bill could add more than $3 trillion to the national debt, potentially pushing the country toward economic collapse.
Deportation Calls Gain Political Backing
Trump’s comment follows earlier remarks by Steve Bannon, his former chief strategist, who demanded a federal investigation into Musk’s immigration history, alleging the billionaire could be “an illegal alien.” Bannon even suggested the government should seize SpaceX.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk threatens to launch ‘America Party’ if Trump administration passes ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
Democratic Congressman Adam Smith echoed the sentiment in a post on X, urging Trump to use ICE to deport Musk, saying, “Don’t let Musk push you around.”
However, Musk has previously addressed his citizenship timeline. “I was on a J-1 visa that transitioned to an H1-B,” Musk stated, adding that he became a naturalised US citizen in 2002.
From Allies to Adversaries: The Fallout of a Fractured Relationship
Once viewed as close allies, Trump and Musk’s relationship has dramatically deteriorated. The fallout began with Musk’s rejection of Trump’s spending agenda, escalating when he threatened to launch a third political outfit, The America Party, to rival both Democrats and Republicans.
Musk even posted—later deleted—a claim tying Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein files, a move that may have irreparably soured their ties. In response, Trump accused Musk of hypocrisy, noting that his companies flourished due to billions in government support, which Musk now criticizes.
In one of his sharpest barbs, Trump said, “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” referencing the very government body Musk once led.
What began as a high-profile partnership is now an all-out public and political war, with immigration, subsidies, and control of the nation’s fiscal future at stake.
