President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have reignited their ongoing feud following Musk’s sharp criticism of a recent spending bill. On Tuesday, Trump suggested that his administration might have to consider deporting Musk over his remarks related to the bill, which Musk argued would lead to substantial increases in national debt.
Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from South Africa, had taken to social media over the weekend to express frustration with Republicans for their support of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” calling it fiscally irresponsible. “With the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS, we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!,” he tweeted, highlighting the bill’s potential impact on taxpayer funds.
In response, Trump suggested on Truth Social that Musk’s criticism stemmed from the removal of an electric vehicle (EV) mandate from the bill, claiming that Musk would have to “close up shop and head back home to South Africa.” When pressed about the idea of deporting Musk, Trump quipped, “We’ll have to take a look,” adding humorously, “We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” referencing the Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk’s reaction included a provocative post indicating he was tempted to escalate the conflict but chose to hold back for the time being. As tensions flared, Trump continued to criticize Musk during a visit to Florida, implying that any scrutiny of Musk’s government contracts could lead to financial savings.
The conflict marks a notable shift after a brief period of calm between the two, which followed Musk’s previous criticisms of both Trump and House Republicans. Musk had previously spent over $270 million during the 2024 election cycle to support Republican candidates, including Trump, leading him to reflect on the perceived ingratitude from the former president.
Despite Musk’s critical stance, which has included threats to fund primary challengers to any Republican supporting the bill, it’s clear that both figures continue to influence each other’s narratives publicly. The ongoing exchange illustrates the intricate dynamics of political alliances and the influence of financial backing in shaping those relationships.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether these exchanges will lead to further political maneuvering or change public sentiment around both Musk and Trump’s approaches to governance and policy.