President Donald Trump escalated his weeks-long public feud with Elon Musk on Tuesday, telling reporters at the White House that he would “have to take a look” at deporting the South-African-born billionaire. The remark came hours after Trump used his Truth Social account to suggest that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should scrutinize the federal subsidies and contracts enjoyed by Musk’s companies, saying, “without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
Trump’s threats follow Musk’s renewed attacks on the administration’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax-cut and spending measure now before the Senate. Musk has called the legislation “insane” and warned that, if it passes, he will bankroll primary challenges against Republican supporters and move to launch a new political force dubbed the “America Party.” The bill would accelerate the phase-out of the $7,500 electric-vehicle tax credit that has helped drive Tesla sales.
Musk responded on X with a curt “CUT IT ALL. Now,” saying he could live without government aid and reiterating his vow to fight the measure in Congress. The entrepreneur, who served briefly as DOGE chief earlier in Trump’s term, has also hinted that he might scale back cooperation with the administration if subsidies are revoked.
The clash rattled investors: Tesla shares slid roughly 5%–6% in early trading, while analysts weighed the risk that SpaceX could lose valuable defense and NASA contracts should the dispute intensify. Legal scholars noted that deporting a naturalized U.S. citizen such as Musk would be difficult, but the exchange underscores the breadth of leverage the White House could wield over the entrepreneur’s businesses as the high-stakes budget fight continues.
A recent fall-out between President Trump and Elon Musk took another turn after the Tesla CEO renewed his criticism of the sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, vowing to unseat lawmakers who supported it
Donald Trump and Elon Musk reignited their bitter feud on Tuesday, with the US president threatening to deport the tech tycoon and strip federal funds from his businesses for criticizing Trump's flagship spending bill ➡️
President Donald Trump speaks on Elon Musk. Thoughts? 🗣️👀
"Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric car production..."
Musk Vs Trump Season 2
Elon Musk has threatened to form the 'America Party' if what he calls the 'insane spending bill'—referred to by the Trump administration as the 'Big Beautiful Bill'—is passed in the country.
@HeenaGambhir shares more details.
Trump threatened to withdraw grants from Elon Musk's companies, after the billionaire warned Republican congressmen that they “will lose their primaries next year” if they support the president's budget bill.
.@elonmusk's feud with President @realDonaldTrump — and seemingly any congressional Republicans who support the president’s massive tax cuts and spending package — has reignited, with the tech billionaire threatening to launch a new political party.
From friends to possible deportation? Donald Trump said he would study the possibility of deporting billionaire Elon Musk in response to a question about whether he would deport the businessman born in South Africa.
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