Once allies, the billionaire bromance is now in full meltdown
Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his feud with Elon Musk, threatening to “take a look” at deporting the Tesla CEO following a brutal bust-up over spending and subsidies.
The president made the shock comments after Musk criticised his so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, accusing Trump of betraying his own promises on cutting government costs.
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Musk, who once served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s second term, has now become public enemy number one in Trump’s eyes.
“We might have to put DOGE on Elon. DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon — wouldn’t that be terrible?”
He even suggested Musk’s federal subsidies might be next on the chopping block, despite once gleefully promoting Tesla vehicles outside the White House.
Trump added:
“He gets a lot of subsidies, he does. But Elon is very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated. You know what, not everyone wants an electric car.”
Reporter: Are you going to deport Elon Musk?
Trump: We'll have to take a look. 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. pic.twitter.com/6I0OAIv7Js
The tech billionaire reignited their feud on X this week, slamming Trump’s economic plan and calling out Republicans who back it.
“Anyone who campaigned on cutting spending but now backs Trump’s bill should hang their heads in shame,” Musk posted. “And they will lose their primary next year if it’s the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Musk also denied supporting EV mandates or subsidies, reposting old tweets to prove it.
💸 From $250m donation to deportation threats
It’s a sharp turn from earlier this year, when Musk donated $250 million to Trump’s campaign and was seen as his top adviser.
Now, Trump’s hint at deportation has shocked political watchers, with one analyst calling it “a wild and thinly veiled threat” against a former ally.
Critics say it also shows Trump’s increasingly erratic leadership, where personal loyalty trumps policy consistency.
🧨 What happens next?
With Musk threatening primary challenges and Trump threatening deportation, the once-allied duo may be heading toward total war.
Political insiders suggest this could fracture Trump’s business backers — and potentially ignite a new wave of Republican infighting just months before the next election.
