President Donald Trump has escalated a public dispute with tech billionaire Elon Musk, warning that Musk could face deportation despite being a naturalized U.S. citizen, following the Tesla CEO’s vow to launch a new “America Party.“
Musk, born in South Africa and naturalized in 2002, reignited tensions over Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping tax cut and spending package that Musk criticized for adding “trillions” to the national debt and eliminating electric vehicle (EV) tax incentives.
In retaliation, Trump suggested on Truth Social and in remarks to reporters that Musk’s extensive government subsidies might be under review. He said Musk “may get more subsidy than any human being in history” and threatened, “without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
Pressed on whether Musk could be deported, Trump responded, “We’ll have to take a look.”
Trump then added: “We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” referencing the Department of Government Efficiency, a body Musk once led, joking: DOGE “is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”
Musk, who had announced plans to oppose members of Congress backing the bill and form a new political party, responded on X: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”
Reuters reports that Trump’s remarks come as Tesla’s stock dropped over 5%, and Musk’s companies depend heavily on federal tax credits and contracts — the bill would remove many of these benefits.
