President Donald Trump has hinted that tech mogul Elon Musk could face scrutiny from federal authorities—or even potential deportation—amid escalating tensions between the two former allies.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Trump addressed questions about Musk’s recent criticism of his administration and whether he would consider stripping the billionaire of his US citizenship. “We’ll see. It’s something we may need to review,” the president remarked when asked about possibly sending Musk back to South Africa, where he was born.
Trump also floated the idea of having the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a federal agency Musk formerly led—investigate Musk’s past government dealings. “DOGE might have to dig into Elon’s history. He’s taken a lot of taxpayer money,” Trump said.
The president accused Musk of being upset over plans to end the national Electric Vehicle (EV) mandate, claiming that Musk’s business empire was heavily dependent on subsidies. “Not everyone wants an EV,” Trump stated. “Elon’s worried because the free money train is stopping.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed Musk had long known about his anti-mandate stance but endorsed him anyway. “Electric vehicles are fine,” Trump wrote, “but forcing them on everyone is not.”
He also mocked Musk’s reliance on public funds, suggesting that ending government support might push him to shut down his operations and “head back to South Africa.” Trump added, “That would save the country a lot of money—no more rocket launches, satellites, or EVs.”
“Maybe DOGE should take a serious look at all of it. We’re talking billions,” he posted, in all caps: “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
Musk, who left his role at DOGE last month, has remained a vocal critic of Trump’s new spending bill, which includes a major increase to the national debt ceiling. He accused lawmakers of betraying voters by approving what he called “the largest debt hike in history.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Musk blasted the bill and warned politicians who supported it: “They’ll lose their primaries next year if I have anything to say about it.”
He also renewed his call for the creation of a new “America Party” that would challenge the current political establishment and offer what he describes as a real choice for voters.
