US President Donald Trump has threatened to deport Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, after Musk criticized Trump’s flagship spending bill. Trump also hinted that he might unleash the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Musk’s companies to scrutinize government subsidies.
“I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he would consider deporting Musk. This development comes after Musk slammed Trump’s spending bill, saying it damages future industries and the economy.
The feud between Trump and Musk began when Musk criticized the bill, particularly the lack of support for electric vehicles. Trump fired back, saying, “He’s losing his EV mandate. He’s very upset about things, but you know, he could lose a lot more than that, I can tell you right now. Elon can lose a lot more than that.”
Musk responded to Trump’s threat on social media, posting, “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.” This response suggests that Musk is prepared for a potential showdown with the Trump administration.
The tension between the two was unexpected, given that Musk was Trump’s largest donor in the 2024 election and was often seen by his side during the early months of his term. However, their relationship has soured significantly since then.
Trump also mentioned that without subsidies, Musk’s companies might struggle to stay afloat, saying, “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.” This comment highlights the significant role government support plays in Musk’s businesses.