The Renewed Feud Between Trump and Musk

In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk are at odds again. Recently, Trump threatened to deport Musk and cut off federal funding to his businesses in response to the billionaire’s criticism of the president’s flagship spending legislation.

Interestingly, Musk was Trump’s most significant political donor during the 2024 election and held a close alliance with the president, especially in the early days of Trump’s return to the White House as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, the tide seems to be turning, with Musk contemplating establishing a rival political party to challenge Republicans who backed Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

This massive tax and spending package passed through the Republican-controlled Senate, promoting many of Trump’s key priorities, yet it is estimated to contribute an additional $3.3 trillion to the national debt. As a result, Musk’s wealth may soon be directed against Trump.

In an interview as he headed to the opening of a new migrant detention center in Florida, humorously dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” Trump remarked, “We’ll have to take a look,” when asked about the possibility of deporting Musk—who has been a U.S. citizen since 2002. The president also hinted at potential repercussions for Musk’s lucrative contracts with SpaceX and Starlink, stating, “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.”

Additionally, Trump asserted, “I don’t think he should be playing that game with me,” amidst their escalating tensions. Musk, appearing undeterred, replied to Trump’s remarks on his social media platform, X, saying, “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.” In the wake of this feud, Tesla’s stock saw a drop of about 5%.

At one time, Musk was a frequent companion of Trump, donning MAGA caps and supporting the president’s agenda. Trump reciprocated by endorsing Tesla’s electric vehicles, particularly during a time when they faced backlash related to Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives at DOGE. However, the relationship soured in May when Musk publicly criticized the spending bill before resigning from the government.

Although Musk had maintained a lower profile in recent weeks, he re-emerged as the spending bill faced challenges in Congress, voicing objections primarily over claims that it could exacerbate the national deficit. He accused Republicans of deviating from efforts to place the U.S. at the forefront of the electric vehicle and clean energy movement, stating, “All I’m asking is that we don’t bankrupt America,” and criticizing them for endorsing what he termed “debt slavery.”

Perhaps more troubling for Trump is Musk’s intent to target vulnerable Republican politicians ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Musk announced that he would form a new political movement called the “America Party” if Trump’s bill passes, vowing to financially support challengers against those who campaigned on reducing federal spending yet voted for the bill. He stated, “VOX POPULI VOX DEI—80% voted for a new party,” following a poll he launched on X regarding this initiative.

As this story continues to unfold, it certainly adds an intriguing dimension to the political landscape as we approach the upcoming elections.