'Will you deport Elon Musk?': Here's what US President Donald Trump said when asked about Tesla CEO

Trump had put Musk in charge of DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency — to cut government spending.

US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have vociferously criticised each other on social media and in the press, and when asked if the would consider deporting the billionaire back to South Africa, Trump gave a very measured response saying he will have to take a look at the possibilities.

On Tuesday, while Trump was leaving the White House for a trip to Florida, a reporter asked, "Are you going to deport Elon Musk?" He replied, "We'll have to take a look. We might have to put DOGE on Elon."

The US President also hit back at Musk's criticism of the 'Big Bill' saying the Tesla CEO could lose a lot more than the electrical vehicle subsidies that would be eliminated if the big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts becomes law.

"You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies. But Elon's very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated," the US President added.

Musk posted a composed response to Trump, saying, "So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now."

So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025

Trump had put Musk in charge of DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency — to cut government spending.

Musk owns Tesla — an electric vehicle company, and a space company and has lucrative federal government contracts.

Earlier in the day, in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump had lashed out at Musk for opposing the bill. The US President wrote: “Elon may get more subsidy 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.”

“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!!!” he added.

BREAKING: Trump implies DOGE may look at Elon Musk’s subsidies: pic.twitter.com/FE9lXj0Ebq

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 1, 2025

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has publicly challenged the administration to end all federal subsidies to his companies. Reacting to Trump’s suggestion that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could investigate the subsidies Musk’s companies have received over the years, Musk said, “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.”

Also Read- ‘CUT IT ALL’: Elon Musk challenges Donald Trump after subsidy threat