Former President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that his administration would “have to take a look” at deporting billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, following a renewed online feud over a controversial federal spending bill.
Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from South Africa, had taken to his social media platform X over the weekend to lambast Republicans for supporting what he dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” He accused lawmakers of reckless spending and criticized the bill for adding what he claimed to be $5 trillion to the national debt.
“It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill… that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY,” Musk posted on Monday, referencing the common term “pork” used to describe government spending favoring local constituencies.
In response, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Musk was frustrated by the removal of the electric vehicle (EV) mandate from the legislation and suggested the Tesla CEO “might have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
When asked directly by reporters whether he would consider deporting Musk, Trump replied, “We’ll have to take a look.” He added, “We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” referring to the Department of Government Efficiency, a unit Musk once led as a special government employee during his brief tenure at the White House.
Musk responded with restraint, writing on X: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”
Later that day, while campaigning in Florida, Trump continued his criticism: “If DOGE looks at Musk, we’re going to save a fortune.”
The clash marks a sharp turn after a short-lived truce between the two figures. Last month, Musk had stepped down from his advisory role in the Trump administration and began publicly criticizing the spending package.
Musk also pledged on Monday to fund primary challengers against any Republican who supported the bill, stating: “If it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
When asked about Musk’s criticism, Trump maintained that the billionaire’s objections stemmed from the elimination of EV mandates and warned Musk to “be careful,” hinting that he may lose further government support.
Musk continued his online campaign against the bill, amplifying critical posts and memes shared by other users. In one post from June 3, he labeled the legislation a “disgusting abomination,” saying, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.”
He later directed his ire at Trump personally, writing, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House, and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.”
Musk is reported to have spent more than $270 million supporting Trump and other Republican candidates during the 2024 election cycle.
Trump has since warned Musk that funding Democratic candidates could result in “consequences” and hinted at pulling the billionaire’s government contracts.
Although Musk appeared to walk back some of his remarks in a June 11 post—saying he “regretted” some of his comments after reportedly speaking with Trump—it remains unclear whether the two have had any further contact since then.
