U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk reignited their public feud on Tuesday, with Trump threatening to revoke federal contracts and even deport the Tesla and SpaceX CEO in retaliation for his criticism of the president’s sweeping spending bill.
Musk, once Trump’s top political donor and a close White House ally, has turned sharply against the president’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” accusing it of bloating the federal deficit and betraying conservative promises of fiscal discipline. The world’s richest man has even floated the idea of launching a new political party to challenge Republicans who support the legislation.
Trump, 78, fired back with escalating rhetoric during a press briefing, suggesting Musk—who became a U.S. citizen in 2002—could be deported. “We’ll have to take a look,” Trump said when asked directly if he would consider removing Musk from the country.
Responding to the threat, Musk posted on his X platform: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”
The president also hinted at targeting Musk’s government-backed ventures, including massive contracts awarded to SpaceX and federal subsidies supporting his electric vehicle business. “We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” Trump said, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk briefly led before stepping down in May. “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”
Trump further claimed Musk was lashing out because the new bill drops key provisions supporting the electric vehicle industry. “He’s losing his EV mandate,” Trump said. “He’s upset—but he could lose a lot more than that.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump repeated the threat, saying: “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric cars—and our country would save a FORTUNE.”
The once-close relationship between the two men has soured dramatically. After Trump’s return to power in January, Musk became a fixture at the White House, often seen wearing MAGA hats and standing beside the president. Trump, in turn, publicly defended Tesla amid mounting backlash over Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting at DOGE.
But the alliance collapsed in May after Musk publicly condemned the president’s spending plans and exited his government role.
Musk had remained relatively quiet until Congress began deliberating the bill this week. He has since launched a barrage of criticism on X, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy and warning that the bill would deepen the national debt. “All I’m asking is that we don’t bankrupt America,” he wrote on Tuesday, denouncing what he called “debt slavery.”
More politically damaging for Trump is Musk’s plan to fund primary challengers against Republican lawmakers who back the bill. He has threatened to form a new political force—dubbed the “America Party”—to hold them accountable. “VOX POPULI VOX DEI,” Musk posted, citing a poll on X showing overwhelming support for a new party. “80% voted for a new party.”
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the Trump–Musk rift could mark a turning point in Republican politics—and potentially reshape the political landscape.
AFP
