In a surprising turn, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he might consider deporting Elon Musk following the billionaire’s strong opposition to one of the administration’s major financial plans. The development marks a sudden shift in the relationship between the two influential figures, especially given Musk’s visible support during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The remarks came after Musk, who was born in South Africa and later became a U.S. citizen, publicly pushed back against Trump’s latest spending package, calling into question the priorities of the bill. Trump responded by hinting that Musk’s residency and citizenship status could come under review. He also brought up the idea of tasking the Department of Government Efficiency—nicknamed DOGE—with reviewing the federal support Musk’s companies have received.
Tesla and SpaceX, two of Musk’s largest ventures, have benefited from government contracts and subsidies over the years, particularly in clean energy and space exploration. The DOGE agency, a relatively new office created during Trump’s term to review government spending and eliminate waste, has not yet taken action but could potentially investigate whether any funding was misused.
Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and remains the world’s wealthiest person, played a key role in Trump’s 2024 re-election. He donated more than any other individual and often appeared at campaign events and official meetings early in Trump’s current term. Their alliance seemed strong, with Musk even advising on technology and infrastructure topics.
However, tensions appear to have grown recently as policy differences became more visible. Musk has been more vocal about his disagreements with the White House in recent weeks, particularly around the direction of economic spending and innovation support. His criticism has clearly struck a nerve.
While no formal steps have been taken toward deportation or investigation, Trump’s statements have raised concerns among political observers and business leaders. The potential fallout between the president and one of the country’s most high-profile entrepreneurs could shape the political and economic landscape in the coming months.
The White House has not provided further clarification on whether Trump was serious about the remarks or using them as political leverage. Musk has not responded publicly to the threats.