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Elon Musk breaks silence as Donald Trump reportedly explores deporting him. The Tesla CEO calls the political clash “so tempting” to escalate
US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk escalated their bitter feud on Tuesday, with the US president saying that he would “take a look” at the possibility of deporting the Tesla CEO, who in turn said it was ‘so tempting’ to escalate this, adding that he would ‘refrain’ for now though.
When a reporters asked Trump if he would consider deporting Musk, Trump said, “We’ll have to take a look.” Trump also signaled that he could take aim at the huge contracts and subsidies that Musk’s Space X rocket and Starlink satellite internet businesses receive from the US government.
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to Trump’s video, saying he was “tempted” to escalate the tensions but would “refrain for now”.
“So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now,” Musk wrote on X, reacting to the video.
Trump’s comments came as he headed to the opening of a new migrant detention center in Florida known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Talking about Musk, he said “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump said. Trump added later in Florida: “I don’t think he should be playing that game with me.”
Trump’s on Monday said Musk needs to “close up shop and move back to South Africa” as the feud between both continued over Trump’s ‘Big Big Beautiful Bill’.
“Elon may get more subsidies than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.
The row began in early June when Musk criticised Trump’s bill and called it a “disgusting abomination” objecting to the budget deficit and cuts to EV tax credits.
Replying to Trump’s deportation comments, Musk on his official X handle said “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.” Shares of Tesla sank around five percent Tuesday after Trump’s threats.
Musk had kept a low profile in recent weeks but returned to the fray as Trump’s bill began to go through Congress. He has since posted a steady stream of posts against the bill on his X account. The billionaire’s criticisms center on claims that the bill would increase the US deficit. He also accuses Republicans of abandoning efforts to place the United States at the front of the EV and clean energy revolution.
(With AFP inputs)
In a stunning turn of events that could reshape the political-tech dynamic in America, tech billionaire Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump are locked in an escalating war of words — and now, even immigration threats. Trump has reportedly considered the possibility of deporting Musk if he returns to the White House in 2025, a claim that Musk has swiftly responded to, calling the growing feud “so tempting” to engage in. What began as quiet disagreements over social media and political alignments has now erupted into one of the most charged face-offs between a former U.S. president and a global tech titan.
Here’s a deep dive into the 1000+ word breakdown of this explosive political showdown, the 5 most shocking revelations, and what it all means for 2024 and beyond.
Recent reports suggest that Donald Trump is allegedly exploring the legal grounds for deporting Elon Musk if he wins the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Although Musk has long been a U.S. citizen and holds significant investments and enterprises in the country — including Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and Neuralink — Trump’s purported inquiry into Musk’s origins has raised alarm bells across tech and political circles.
According to insiders close to Trump’s camp, the former president has questioned how Musk obtained his green card and whether the process involved any “irregularities.” Musk, who was born in South Africa and later became a U.S. citizen in 2002, came to America through Canada and began building his tech empire through legal channels. Any attempts to revoke his citizenship or status would likely be viewed as politically motivated and nearly impossible under current U.S. law.
However, the very notion that a former (and potentially future) president could wield the threat of deportation against one of the most influential CEOs in the world has rattled many.
Elon Musk didn’t stay silent for long. On his social media platform X, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO responded to the deportation rumors with a cryptic but telling post:
While Musk didn’t mention Trump by name in the post, it was widely interpreted as a jab at the former president’s alleged threat. Musk has previously shown restraint in discussing Trump publicly, often emphasizing the importance of free speech and open dialogue. But his latest remark signals a possible shift in tone — from diplomacy to confrontation.
It also reflects Musk’s increasing willingness to wade into political battles head-on, especially when his name and future are being directly targeted. His phrasing — “so tempting” — hints at a line he’s not yet crossed but may be considering if Trump continues to fan the flames.
At one point, Elon Musk and Donald Trump had an uneasy alliance.
Musk served briefly on Trump’s economic advisory councils in 2017 before resigning in protest over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. Since then, their relationship has remained strained but not outright hostile — until now.
In 2022, Musk hinted at supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a potential presidential bid. He later backtracked somewhat but has never fully endorsed Trump’s return to office. Trump, in turn, has taken multiple shots at Musk, calling him “another bull**** artist” during one of his rallies. The friction reached new heights after Musk rebranded Twitter as “X” and reinstated controversial accounts — including Trump’s — yet Trump chose to remain loyal to his own platform, Truth Social.
What began as political divergence has now turned personal, with Trump reportedly questioning Musk’s legal status in the U.S. and Musk considering whether to publicly counterattack.
The Musk-Trump feud could have major implications for the 2024 U.S. presidential race. With over 180 million followers on X and immense influence across tech, business, and media sectors, Musk’s stance on the election could sway millions of voters — particularly independents, libertarians, and tech-minded Americans.
If Musk decides to back a rival to Trump — such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or a moderate Republican challenger — it could fracture Trump’s support base. Alternatively, Musk’s increasingly political posts and criticism of government overreach may energize voters who are skeptical of both parties.
Trump’s decision to target Musk could also backfire. Instead of intimidating the billionaire entrepreneur, it may galvanize Musk’s growing online community to rally against perceived authoritarianism. Moreover, Musk’s companies employ tens of thousands of Americans and contribute billions to the U.S. economy, making any attempt to “deport” him not just outrageous but economically suicidal.
With Trump’s threat floating in the public sphere, many are now wondering what might happen to Musk’s sprawling tech empire if political retaliation continues. Tesla is the most valuable carmaker in the world. SpaceX is a critical NASA partner, and X is a dominant platform for digital discourse.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Tesla: Over 140,000 American jobs, major U.S. factories in Texas, Nevada, and California.
- SpaceX: Contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.
- Neuralink: Pushing the boundaries of medical technology and AI.
- Starlink: Internet access for remote and conflict-ridden regions globally.
Any political interference with these companies could spark a firestorm in Congress and beyond. It could also trigger concerns among foreign investors about America’s business climate.
Musk has already hinted at moving more operations overseas in the past. If the feud escalates, it’s not inconceivable that he would explore friendlier global markets to expand his vision.
