#TrumpVsMusk

The dispute between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has escalated to quite unusual levels. Amid a strong disagreement over the new budget bill, Trump publicly hinted that he might consider deporting Musk to South Africa, his home country.

It all began when Musk harshly criticized the fiscal megaproject pushed by Trump, which includes social cuts, increased military spending, and the elimination of subsidies for electric vehicles—a measure that directly affects Tesla and SpaceX. In response, Trump stated to the press: “I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look” when asked if he would consider deporting Musk.

Moreover, on his Truth Social network, Trump wrote that without subsidies, Musk would likely have to shut down his companies and return to South Africa, and suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk previously led, should “eat him” metaphorically.

Although Musk has been a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2002, Trump has cast doubt on his immigration status as part of this political confrontation. Musk, for his part, responded on X (formerly Twitter) with messages like “CUT EVERYTHING! Now!” and threatened to form a new “America Party” if Congress approves the bill.