President Trump threatened to unleash the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Elon Musk Tuesday to examine government subsidies handed out to the billionaire’s companies — and even suggested he would consider deporting the tech titan.
Trump lashed out at Musk, who once headed DOGE, after the Tesla boss renewed his criticisms of the One Big Beautiful Bill — on which Trump’s domestic policy agenda hangs — calling it “utterly insane” and “political suicide.”
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social early Tuesday.
“No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
The president later told reporters on the White House South Lawn Tuesday morning that his administration would “take a look” at deporting Musk.
“We’ll have to take a look,” Trump responded when asked if he was going to support his former ally.
“We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? The monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies,” he added.
The president’s ire comes after Musk expressed his frustration and rage over the sweeping spending bill on social media ahead of the Senate vote.
“The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!” the former DOGE chief wrote on X Saturday.
“Utterly insane and destructive. It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future.”
On Monday, the world’s richest man continued his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill “should hang their heads in shame!”
“And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,” Musk said.
The SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill’s massive spending indicated “that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!”
Trump said Tuesday his former ally was upset because he lost the EV mandate in the bill.
“Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate,” the prez wrote on Truth Social.
“It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.”
Trump and Musk had previously butt heads earlier this month over the massive spending bill, which was undergoing a procedural vote late Saturday.
That spat culminated with Musk endorsing the impeachment and removal of his former chosen candidate.
Musk later apologized to the president, who suggested that a reconciliation between the former allies is still possible.
The billionaire left the Trump administration and his role in DOGE on May 29, 130 days after Trump’s inauguration.
