Is Donald Trump deporting Elon Musk to South Africa?

After a couple of weeks of respite, the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has entered bizarre new territory, with the US president saying he would "take a look" at deporting the Tesla and SpaceX boss — and Musk, in turn, warning that he's "so tempted" to escalate the fight.

It began with the POTUS lashing out on Truth Social, writing: “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.”

That jab came in response to Musk’s fierce opposition to Trump’s new economic legislation — the so-called “Big Big Beautiful Bill” — which Musk earlier called a “disgusting abomination”. The billionaire has accused Trump and congressional Republicans of abandoning their promises on clean energy and fiscal responsibility, citing massive cuts to EV tax credits and a ballooning deficit.

I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore.

This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.

Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025

Asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether he might go to the extent of issuing an executive order to deport Musk, the US president replied: "We'll have to take a look."

Donald Trump specifically attacks Elon Musk's businesses

The president also hinted that Musk’s companies — SpaceX and Starlink — could face a review of the government contracts and subsidies they enjoy. Speaking in Florida during a visit to a new migrant detention centre dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” Trump added: “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.” He followed up with a warning: “I don't think he should be playing that game with me.”

Musk, who became a naturalised American citizen in 2002, is not deportable under US law unless convicted of a serious crime — something even Trump's allies admit is unlikely. Still, Musk fired back with a cryptic post on X: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”

So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025

The war of words has had real-world consequences. On Tuesday, Tesla’s stock sank over 7%, wiping billions off its market value, as investors weighed the political and regulatory risks of an all-out war with the US government.

Musk's retaliation does not behove a businessman

Musk has been ramping up his public criticism of the Trump administration’s legislative agenda in recent days. According to multiple sources, he is also exploring the idea of backing — or even launching — a third political movement, tentatively called the “America Party,” aimed at challenging both Republicans and Democrats.

In a post earlier this week, Musk claimed the US is turning into a “Porky Pig Party country” and accused the political establishment of turning the economy into a playground for cronies and lobbyists.

It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!

Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025

The legislation at the centre of the row — which narrowly passed the Senate today — includes sweeping spending provisions, rollback of climate incentives, and tariffs that Fed chair Jerome Powell says could delay interest rate cuts. Critics argue it inflates the deficit by up to $5 trillion over ten years, while Republican leaders hail it as pro-growth.

Meanwhile, analysts say the deepening Trump-Musk rift could expose Musk’s empire to regulatory retaliation, audits, or contract freezes, especially as Starlink expands military partnerships and SpaceX seeks fresh NASA funding.