Trump vs. Musk: President Threatens Action Against Tesla CEO Amid Rising Feud

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between two of America's most high-profile figures, President Donald Trump has threatened to take punitive action against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk—including a possible review of his citizenship status and federal subsidies received by his companies.

The rift intensified after Musk renewed criticism of Trump’s proposed $4 trillion tax and spending package, known by the President as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Musk has openly condemned the bill as fiscally irresponsible, warning of its long-term effects on the national debt.

Responding to a question from reporters about whether he was considering deporting Musk, Trump said, “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.” The President then hinted at broader action, suggesting that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a newly empowered watchdog under his administration—may scrutinize the billions in federal subsidies Musk’s companies have received.

“We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” Trump said. “He gets a lot of subsidies. But Elon is very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated. Not everybody wants an electric car.”

The President went further in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming:

“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history... without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa... Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”

Musk Responds: "So Tempting to Escalate"

Elon Musk, who once endorsed and financially backed Trump’s re-election campaign, responded tersely on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”

Despite their past alignment, tensions between the two have risen sharply over Musk’s opposition to the new tax-and-spend package. Musk has even suggested he may fund challengers to lawmakers supporting the bill and hinted at backing the formation of a third political party to oppose both Republicans and Democrats.

Legal Hurdles: Can Trump Deport Elon Musk?

While Trump’s comments have sparked controversy, legal experts are quick to point out that Musk—who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2002—cannot be deported unless his citizenship is revoked through a legal process known as denaturalization. This process typically requires proof that citizenship was obtained fraudulently, which there is currently no indication of.

Musk, who was born in South Africa to a Canadian mother and South African father, moved to the U.S. in 1992 to attend the University of Pennsylvania. His citizenship is considered valid and legally binding, barring extraordinary circumstances.

Feud Reflects Deeper Policy Divide

The high-profile spat reflects deeper ideological divisions between the tech billionaire and the Trump administration. Musk’s companies have historically benefited from billions in federal support, including clean energy tax incentives and space exploration contracts. Trump’s latest bill proposes to roll back electric vehicle mandates and reduce clean energy subsidies—policies Musk argues are essential to America’s innovation and climate leadership.

As the debate unfolds, analysts say the feud could have broader implications for federal industrial policy, tech regulation, and the 2026 midterm elections.