President Donald Trump has dropped a bombshell, hinting at the possible deportation of tech mogul Elon Musk in a stunning escalation of their public clash.
According to the Washington Examiner, the feud, rooted in Musk’s sharp criticism of Trump’s major legislative proposal, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill,” has reignited tensions, with Trump threatening Musk’s government contracts and Musk vowing to challenge supporting congressmen and even form a rival political party.
This saga began heating up back on June 5, when the once-close partnership between Trump and Musk dramatically fractured, just shy of their alliance’s one-year mark.
After that initial blowup, allies stepped in to cool things down, and broader global concerns, like the conflict between Iran and Israel, shifted the focus temporarily.
Trump, in a recent interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, aired on Sunday, reflected on the rift, saying of Musk’s June 5 outburst, “He got a little bit upset, and you know that wasn’t appropriate.”
While Musk later expressed regret for going “too far” in some of his earlier remarks, the détente didn’t last, and the rift now appears permanent.
Fast forward to this past Sunday and Monday, when Musk unleashed a barrage of criticism on social media against Trump’s prized bill, calling the Senate version “insane and destructive.”
On Monday, via X, Musk fumed, “It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill … that we live in a one-party country.” His frustration with bloated government spending is a sentiment many conservatives share, though his delivery risks alienating potential allies.
Musk didn’t stop there, vowing to ensure congressmen who back the bill lose their primaries next year and floating the idea of a new “America Party” if the legislation passes.
On Tuesday morning, Trump hit back hard, speaking to reporters before a trip to a migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, musing, “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.”
His cryptic reference to putting “DOGE on Elon” raised eyebrows, with Trump adding, “You know what DOGE is?” While the term remains unclear, the implication of serious consequences for Musk was unmistakable, and conservatives might wonder if this is the right fight to pick with a tech titan who’s often aligned with free-market principles.
That midnight, Trump doubled down on Truth Social, warning that without subsidies, Musk “would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” a jab at the entrepreneur’s roots and reliance on government support.
Trump pinned Musk’s hostility on the elimination of electric vehicle subsidies in the bill, telling reporters, “Elon is very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated.”
While Trump’s push to end such subsidies resonates with many who question government overreach in picking market winners, Musk’s innovations have undeniably driven American tech forward, making this a messy battle between principle and pragmatism.
As the feud intensifies, voices like neuroscientist Philip Low, a former friend of Musk, warn of a scorched-earth approach, telling Politico, “Knowing Elon … I do think he’s going to do everything to damage the president.” Low’s insight suggests this isn’t just policy disagreement—it’s personal, and conservatives watching might lament the loss of unity on the right over progressive overreach.
