Amid the renewed feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the US President has hinted that he would "have to look" at options regarding the Tesla chief's possbile deportation.
"I don't know, we'll have to take a look," Donald Trump said, responding to a question about Musk's deportation.
Soon Musk took to X, saying, "So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now."
If Trump's "big, beautiful bill" becomes a law, Musk would lose subsidies for electric vehicles. However, the president warned that the SpaceX CEO could "lose a lot more" than just the subsidies.
"We might have to put DOGE on Elon," Trump told reporters. "DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies.." It should be noted that DOGE, which is the Department of Government Efficiency, was set up by Trump to cut government spending in January. Ironically, Musk was heading this department.
Trump's threats to Musk came a day after he said the Tesla chief might have to shut his business and leave America. "Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far," Trump posted on Truth Social. "And without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa."
Responding to Trump in a post on X, Musk wrote, "I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now."
Musk, who was born in South Africa, became a naturalised US citizen in 2002. He had previously got a Canadian citizenship through his mother. Later, Musk received an exchange visa that allowed him to study in the US and a work visa before becoming a citizen.