Trump vs. Musk: Threats Fly as Spending Bill Row Heats Up
If you thought the tension between Donald Trump and Elon Musk couldn’t get any hotter, think again. On July 1, 2025, Trump ignited a firestorm by joking—maybe not so jokingly—that Musk could be deported back to South Africa. That’s not something you hear every day about a billionaire entrepreneur who’s called America home since becoming a citizen in 2002.
Trump’s comments came while he was on his way to visit Florida’s so-called 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration center. Reporters asked if Musk’s outspoken criticism of Capitol Hill’s new tax and spending package—the massive ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’—could cost the tech magnate more than just political goodwill. Trump didn’t hold back. 'We'll have to take a look,' he said with a trademark glint, raising eyebrows and questions about what deportation might even mean for someone like Musk.
What triggered the outburst? Musk has been vocal—on X and off—about the dangers of the proposed $5 trillion bill, which he says turns the GOP into a 'PORKY PIG PARTY.' He’s accused Republicans of reckless spending and warned that piling on debt will backfire badly. That struck a nerve with Trump, who’s staked his reputation on the bill as a legacy achievement.
The Political and Personal Jabs Aren’t Slowing Down
Things quickly turned personal. Trump suggested if government subsidies disappeared—especially those aimed at electric vehicles—Musk’s companies might not survive. The former president even referenced DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, known for quirky attempts at trimming bureaucracy (and briefly led by Musk). 'DOGE might have to go back and eat Elon,' Trump quipped, throwing in a dig that mixed politicking with Twitter-era absurdity.
This feud isn’t just about two outsized egos, though. It’s got major policy implications. The spending bill in question reportedly slashes funding for EV tax credits, a lifeline for Tesla—and a sticking point for Musk. Republicans pushing the legislation claim it's about fiscal sanity, but for entrepreneurs betting big on green tech, the move could rewrite industry rules overnight.
Musk didn’t shrink from the scrap. Taking to X, he wrote, 'So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.' He stopped short of firing back with his usual firepower, leaving followers curious—and maybe a little anxious—about what escalation would even look like coming from him.
Here’s what seems certain: this clash isn’t ending soon. Musk has been dropping hints about forming a new political party, a threat Democrats and Republicans both take seriously. If he pulls it off, he could peel off crucial voters—and upend the balance of power in Washington. For now, though, it’s a standoff: Musk holding his cards close and Trump doubling down on the spending bill as his latest battlefront. The next move? Your guess is as good as mine.
