Trump Weighs Deportation of Elon Musk Amid Spending Bill Feud

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would "take a look" at deporting Elon Musk, escalating a public feud with the billionaire who has sharply criticized the administration’s flagship tax-and-spending package. The remark was made to reporters at the White House as Trump departed for Florida, where he was visiting a new immigration detention facility.

Trump also suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency—known as DOGE and briefly headed by Musk earlier this year—could scrutinize the billions of dollars in federal contracts and subsidies awarded to Musk’s businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX. Musk, who was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002, has denounced the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" and has threatened to bankroll primary challenges against Republicans who vote for it or create a new "America Party."

Investors reacted quickly: Tesla shares fell about 5 percent during Tuesday trading after Trump’s comments. Musk’s companies have received at least $38 billion in government support, according to public contract data cited by U.S. media, leaving significant financial stakes tied to any White House review. Neither the White House nor Musk has outlined concrete next steps, but the exchange underscores the deepening rift between the president and one of his most prominent former allies.