The comment marks an escalation in tensions between the two former allies, as Musk has emerged as a vocal critic of Republican tax and spending legislation currently moving through Congress. 

The United States president, Donald Trump, has reignited his feud with Tesla CEO and billionaire, Elon Musk, saying he would “have to take a look” at the possibility of deporting the South African-born billionaire and naturalised U.S. citizen.

“I don’t know,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday when asked directly if he would deport Musk, “We’ll have to take a look,” according to Bloomberg.

The comment marks an escalation in tensions between the two former allies, as Musk has emerged as a vocal critic of Republican tax and spending legislation currently moving through Congress. 

The bill seeks to expedite the expiration of consumer tax credits for electric vehicle (EV) purchases, a measure that could negatively impact Tesla, one of the largest EV manufacturers in the world. 

Tesla shares fell more than 4% in premarket trading following the exchange.

Trump, responding to Musk’s opposition to the bill, suggested the tech mogul’s criticisms were rooted in self-interest, particularly in the loss of subsidies that have supported Musk’s numerous ventures.

Earlier in the day, Trump had taken to social media to threaten a withdrawal of federal support for Musk’s companies, a threat he repeated in person. 

“He’s losing his EV mandate,” Trump said. “Elon could lose a lot more than that.”

The “EV mandate” refers to federal fuel economy and emissions regulations that push automakers to increase electric vehicle production. 

While the tax-and-spending bill in question does not directly touch these standards, it would terminate the EV consumer tax credit that has helped drive electric vehicle adoption across the U.S.

Musk, who once supported Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and briefly led the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency before resigning in May, has recently ramped up his public opposition to the GOP bill. 

He has described the legislation as an “insane spending bill” and floated the idea of helping launch a third political party.

Despite Trump’s claim, Musk has denied that his criticism of the bill is tied to financial incentives for his companies.

The once-amicable relationship between the two powerful figures soured dramatically over social media, with Trump and Musk trading insults over the past several weeks. 

Although the feud appeared to simmer down, Musk’s renewed attacks have sparked fresh retaliation from Trump.

In a bizarre twist during his remarks Tuesday, Trump referenced the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency, nicknamed “DOGE” by the administration. 

“We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” Trump said. “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible?”

As of now, there is no formal process underway to review Musk’s citizenship status, and legal experts say deportation of a naturalized U.S. citizen would face enormous legal hurdles. 

Nonetheless, Trump’s remarks add fuel to the growing political and personal rift between the two men, one that could have implications for business, politics, and the ongoing EV transition in America.