In a jaw-dropping escalation of political tension and personal rivalry, President Donald Trump has publicly floated the idea of deporting Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, as their feud over a contentious federal budget bill spirals into unprecedented territory.
Speaking at a press conference outside the White House, Trump lashed out at what he called “corrupt globalist handouts” buried in the latest green energy funding package, accusing Musk of benefiting disproportionately from taxpayer money.
“We’re handing billions to these so-called American companies run by people who weren’t even born here,” Trump said. “Maybe it’s time someone looks at Elon Musk’s immigration paperwork. Maybe it’s time to send him back.”
Musk Fires Back: “I’m More American Than You”
The comment sparked immediate backlash—and Musk didn’t hold back.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the tech mogul posted:
“I became a U.S. citizen legally over two decades ago. I’ve built companies that created over 100,000 American jobs. I’ve paid more in taxes than any sitting politician. Deport me? For building the future?”
He followed it with a meme of Trump’s Truth Social logo replaced by a “404 Error” page.
What’s at the Heart of the Feud?
The budget bill in question includes major investments in:
-
EV tax incentives and manufacturing credits
-
Clean energy infrastructure
-
Research grants for tech innovation
Tesla, while technically eligible for some of the benefits, has previously missed out on specific union-related incentives favored by the Biden administration. Trump’s new budget keeps much of the clean energy support intact, reportedly under pressure from industrial lobbyists and GOP-led state governors.
But Trump is now using the optics of billionaire enrichment to rally his populist base—and Elon Musk is the perfect foil.
Can Musk Be Deported?
In short: no. Elon Musk is a naturalized U.S. citizen, having immigrated from South Africa, studied in the U.S., and gained citizenship in 2002. The law is clear—citizens cannot be deported for political disagreements, business dealings, or opinions expressed online.
Legal analysts were quick to label Trump’s remarks as political “sideshow tactics” meant to distract from criticism over spending cuts elsewhere in the budget.
Trump vs Musk: A Battle of Egos?
This isn’t their first fallout. Musk and Trump were once loosely aligned—Musk sat on a White House business council during Trump’s first term. But the relationship soured over policy disagreements, climate change, and more recently, control over public narrative on platforms like X and Truth Social.
“Elon likes attention. So do I,” Trump said with a smirk when pressed by reporters. “But I’m the one in charge.”
Trump’s veiled threat to deport one of America’s most prominent CEOs may not hold legal water—but it signals a deeper fracture between Silicon Valley elites and the populist wing of government. As Musk continues to expand his influence over technology, transportation, and digital media, the clash with Trump’s America-first agenda seems destined to intensify.
One thing’s certain: this won’t be the last time these two billionaires collide—and the sparks will fly straight into the headlines.
