US President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that he would consider deporting Elon Musk after the South African-born entrepreneur criticised his spending bill.
Trump also stated that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk led until stepping down in late May, may focus on the Tesla and SpaceX founders’ 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.
“We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”
Trump substantially increased his threat, claiming Musk was assaulting his so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” because it had abandoned measures to assist electric cars (EVs).
“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.”
Late Monday, Trump said on his Truth Social network that “without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
Musk, the world’s richest individual, was Trump’s largest donor in the 2024 election and initially remained close to the newly elected president.
They had a bitter public spat over the bill this month, and the tycoon has renewed his accusations in recent days, accusing Republicans of abandoning efforts to position the United States at the forefront of the EV and renewable energy revolutions.
Musk has also revived efforts to launch a new political party called the “America Party” if the measure passes.
