Natalie Nyathi
In a surprising escalation of tensions, President Donald Trump has threatened to explore the possibility of deporting Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. This remark came during a press conference while Trump was visiting Florida, where he also criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
The feud between Trump and Musk reignited this week, primarily centered around Musk’s opposition to Trump’s proposed tax bill, known as the “big, beautiful bill.” Musk has publicly condemned the legislation, calling it “insane” and warning that it could add trillions to the national debt. He has even suggested the formation of a new political party, dubbed the “America Party,” to challenge lawmakers who support the bill.
When asked about the potential deportation of Musk, who hails from South Africa, Trump responded, “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.” He added, “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? The monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies.”
This comment reflects the ongoing tension as Musk’s criticisms of the bill seem to threaten Trump’s legislative agenda. The relationship between the two, once characterized by mutual support during the 2024 presidential campaign, has soured significantly. Musk’s recent attacks on the proposed tax cuts have led to a public back-and-forth between the two powerful figures.
Trump further escalated the situation by suggesting that Musk benefits disproportionately from government subsidies, stating, “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
This feud is particularly concerning for Musk, whose companies are heavily reliant on government contracts and support. As SpaceX plays a vital role in U.S. space exploration and communications, any political fallout could potentially impact its operations and stock prices.
The situation is compounded by Musk’s past as a major Republican donor and his influence within the party. His recent comments and threats to form a new political party could disrupt Trump’s plans, especially as the administration seeks to push its ambitious spending bill through Congress.
As tensions rise, both Trump and Musk appear to be gearing up for a significant political showdown, leaving many to wonder how this conflict will unfold in the coming weeks.