Trump Suggests He May Need to ‘Consider’ Deporting Musk

President Donald Trump indicated he might consider deporting billionaire Elon Musk when questioned about the businessman, who has shifted from ally to critic regarding Trump’s significant tax and spending policies.

“I don’t know,” Trump replied to reporters at the White House on Tuesday when asked about the possible deportation of the South African-born entrepreneur and U.S. citizen, adding, “we’ll need to take a closer look.”

These comments from the president represent the latest development in an escalating conflict between Trump and the world’s richest person, who has intensified his critique of a Republican tax bill that hastens the phase-out of consumer credits for electric vehicle purchases. Musk is the CEO of Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer, whose stock declined more than 4% in premarket trading.

Trump claimed that Musk’s opposition to the bill stems from the elimination of subsidies benefiting his various business ventures. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump used social media to threaten the withdrawal of financial support for Musk’s companies, a warning he reinforced during a press conference.

The president stated that Musk was “losing his EV mandate” and suggested that “Elon could lose much more than that.”

The EV mandate refers to fuel economy standards and tailpipe pollution regulations that require automakers to produce an increasing number of electric models.

The administration is striving to reverse those policies, which remain unchanged by the legislation currently being debated in the Senate. Nonetheless, the tax-and-spending proposal would eliminate a tax credit for individual electric vehicle purchases that has significantly boosted EV sales.

Musk has criticized the Republican bill, calling it an “insane spending bill,” and has contemplated helping to establish a third political party in the U.S. However, he has denied that his objections arise from a wish to protect government subsidies for his businesses.

Musk backed Trump’s 2024 election campaign and led the Department of Government Efficiency initiative, which aimed to reduce the federal government’s workforce and responsibilities before resigning in late May.

The two had a public falling out over Musk’s criticisms of the tax bill, engaging in insults on social media. While that dispute appeared to have calmed, Musk has recently posted multiple critiques of the proposed legislation, reigniting their conflict.

“We might have to place DOGE on Elon,” Trump remarked regarding the federal cost-reduction initiative. “DOGE is the monster that may have to return and devour Elon. Wouldn’t that be unfortunate?”

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