The long-running feud between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken a dramatic turn. On Tuesday, Trump publicly suggested that Musk originally from South Africa could face deportation.
The threat followed Musk’s latest round of attacks on the president’s newly passed tax and spending bill, which he mocked online as a “big beautiful bill.” The Tesla boss, now a US citizen, accused the legislation of deepening America’s debt and stifling innovation.
“Maybe we need to take a good, hard look at Elon,” Trump said. “He’s been handed more subsidies than anyone in history. That’s changing.”
The president claimed Musk’s fury stems from a provision in the bill that removes tax breaks for electric vehicles a move that could hit Tesla hard.
This clash is the latest flashpoint in an increasingly bitter relationship between the two men, who were once political allies. Musk helped launch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s first term an agency designed to cut what they called “wasteful” federal spending.
But as DOGE’s popularity waned and criticism of its impact on public services mounted, Musk began to distance himself. Now, he’s on the offensive.
In a flurry of posts, Musk vowed to punish Republicans who backed Trump’s bill. Political analysts say he could do real damage.
“Don’t underestimate Musk’s reach,” said Prof. Christopher Galdieri of Saint Anselm College. “He could fund challengers, run independent candidates, or sway public opinion in key districts. This isn’t just online noise.”
Trump, meanwhile, is framing Musk’s outrage as self-interest. He hinted that DOGE could investigate Musk’s companies, saying, “Perhaps we should have DOGE look into how much support he’s really getting.”
Experts believe the fallout may reshape both tech and politics.
“Musk’s journey with Trump has been in stages,” said Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the University of Maryland. “At first, he backed Trump financially. Then they joined forces with DOGE. But once DOGE’s backlash hit Tesla sales, things soured. Now Musk is fighting to protect his business and his reputation.”
The president’s deportation threat may not hold legal ground, given Musk’s citizenship. But it underlines how personal and political the dispute has become.
As one White House aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it: “It’s no longer just about policy. It’s about power, pride, and who gets the last word.”
