Latest news with #TrumpMuskFeud
The Guardian
36 minutes ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Trump and Musk's feud blows up again with threats of Doge and deportation
Donald Trump and Elon Musk's feud reignited this week with the former political allies trading sharp public threats of retribution. The blowup, centered around Musk's opposition to Trump's signature tax bill as it moves through Congress, ends a period of rapprochement between two of the world's most powerful men. Musk posted escalating attacks against the big, beautiful bill on his social media platform X, calling the legislation 'insane' and vowing to form a new political party if it passed late Monday. In response, Trump claimed he could 'look into' deporting the South Africa-born billionaire, while also suggesting he could cut government subsidies for Musk's companies or set the so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge) on its former leader. 'Doge is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible?' Trump asked reporters on Tuesday. Musk's attempt to derail the tax bill was a major factor in his falling out with the president last month, and the Tesla CEO's renewed offensive comes at a sensitive time as Trump seeks to shepherd the legislation through Congress. The fight could test Musk's political influence over the Republican party as he seeks to peel away votes for the bill, as well as further deteriorate his once-close relationship with Trump. Musk has repeatedly criticized Trump's sweeping policy bill for its potential to nullify the cuts to the federal government he made through Doge and for the likelihood it will add trillions to the national debt, which he has warned will 'bankrupt America' and imperil his dream of reaching Mars. Musk, a top Republican megadonor, intensified his campaign in recent days with threats that he would form his own 'America Party' and target lawmakers in upcoming elections who voted for the bill in 2026 primary elections. 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!' Musk posted. 'They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth'. Trump has rejected Musk's criticisms of the bill, alleging that the Tesla CEO's opposition is because the bill would end a tax credit for consumers purchasing electric vehicles. 'Elon's very upset that the EV mandate is gonna be terminated,' Trump said on Tuesday. 'Not everybody wants an electric car. I don't want an electric car.' When a reporter asked if Trump is considering deporting Musk, he responded that he didn't know but would 'take a look'. Musk replied to a video of the statement on X, saying 'so tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.' Trump bought a Tesla in March. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion Trump's remarks were a stark turnaround from only months ago when he hosted a showcase for Tesla on the White House lawn in front of media, during which he encouraged his supporters to buy Musk's cars and sat in the driver's seat of a red Model S sedan. In contrast, Trump threatened this week that he could destroy Musk's businesses. '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,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday. 'No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.' Musk's companies, especially SpaceX, are closely intertwined with US government agencies and have received billions of dollars in contracts from them. The government has meanwhile come to rely on SpaceX for key parts of its space travel and satellite communications programs, and the company is being considered for a role in building a new multibillion dollar missile defense program. The symbiotic relationship between Musk and the government has made any political tensions sensitive for his businesses, and Tesla's share price declined on Monday and Tuesday as the feud continued.
Sky News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Donald Trump latest: Elon Musk responds as US president 'to take a look' at whether to deport him
Analysis: The gloves may be coming off as Trump and Musk spar again By David Blevins, US correspondent Seconds away, round two. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are back in the ring. Their very public spat was reignited when Musk branded Trump's "big, beautiful bill" an act of "political suicide" for Republicans. The Tesla CEO claims it will add another $5trn to the national debt. The bill cleared the House of Representatives by a single vote and the vice president had to break a tie in the Senate, returning it to the House for a final vote. Musk has touted the launch of a new "America Party" and vowed to challenge Republicans who back the bill, in next year's mid-term elections. But the US president hit back with a quick one, two – warning that he could pull Musk's lucrative government contracts or even deport him. Musk spent the first three months of Trump's second term running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon," Trump warned. Musk replying on X: "So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now." The gloves may be coming off in this fight between the world's richest man and the world's most powerful. In pictures: Protesters gather outside detention centre during Trump visit While Donald Trump was being shown around the "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida, protesters gathered near the detention centre. As our correspondent David Blevins explained earlier, the facility has faced opposition from human rights activists and environmentalists (see 15.39 post). Explained: What is 'Alligator Alcatraz'? After finishing his news conference, Donald Trump is wrapping up his visit to "Alligator Alcatraz". The detention centre is a symbol of the White House's determination to deport migrants from America which it says do not have a right to be in the country. Located on a mostly abandoned airport once built to house supersonic jets, detainees would have to "know how to run away from an alligator" to escape the facility, Trump said.. But for critics, it's a dehumanising "theatricalisation of cruelty" that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to run each year. 'Music to my ears': Trump reacts as Senate passes spending bill Back to Florida now, where Donald Trump has been asked for his reaction to his "big beautiful bill" being passed in the US Senate. "Wow, music to my ears," the US president told reporters after he was told the result of the vote. The bill narrowly passed after vice president JD Vance made his tie-breaking vote. "He's doing a good job," Trump said. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, where it will be debated and voted on tomorrow. Tesla share value falls as Musk and Trump reignite war of words By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire, business and economics reporter Elon Musk's fresh attack on Donald Trump's "insane" spending bill - followed by the reaction of the US president - appears to have hit the share price of Tesla. Musk's latest outburst on the spending bill - that has now been passed by the US Senate - reignited the tit-for-tat insults between the former close allies. Mr Trump has said he will "take a look" at whether to deport the Tesla founder and has threatened to cut subsidies for the billionaire's space and satellite businesses. The reignited row has not gone unnoticed by investors, and Tesla's share value has tumbled more than 5%. Previously, after months of share price tumbles and protests at Tesla showrooms, Musk left his work with the Trump administration in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Signs of a more politically occupied Musk appear to again be spooking investors. US Senate passes Trump's spending bill The US Senate has passed Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, sending it to the House of Representatives. The legislation narrowly passed after vice president JD Vance cast his tie-breaking vote. The bill includes $4.5trn in tax cuts, according to the latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis. This includes his no tax on tips campaign pledge. The CBO said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3trn over the next decade. The package rolls back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits, which Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments. It imposes $1.2trn in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing work requirements on able-bodied people, including some parents and older citizens. It slashes funding for education, public housing, environmental programs, scientific research and some national park and public land protection. Additionally, the bill provides $350bn for border and national security, including for deportations. The "big beautiful bill" is the main subject in today's episode of Trump100 - our team breaks down what it's all about... US Senate begins voting on Trump's spending bill While Donald Trump is speaking in Florida, senators have started voting on the US president's sweeping tax and spending bill. Earlier, Trump told reporters "I think it's going to be the greatest bill ever passed". We'll keep across any developments from the vote and will bring you updates on this live page. Trump says detention centre will host 'some of the most vicious people on the planet' Donald Trump is speaking again as he takes his seat for a news conference at the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention centre in Florida. Trump says that name is "very appropriate because I looked outside and that's not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon". He says the facility will soon have some of the most "menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet". "We're surrounded by miles of treacherous swamp land and the only way out is really deportation, and a lot of these people are self-deporting back to their country they came from," he adds. Trump says the most impactful step that the US can take is to "fully reverse the Biden migration invasion". "We've never had an invasion like this and we have some very bad people out there looking to do big harm," he says. In pictures: Trump shown around 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention centre We're now getting these pictures from inside the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention centre in Florida, where Donald Trump is being shown around. He's joined by Florida governor Ron DeSantis and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. Trump warns Musk against 'playing that game with me' Donald Trump has also been asked whether he's concerned Republicans are going to be swayed by Elon Musk, who has been critical of the spending bill. "No, I don't think so," Trump replies. "I think what's going to happen is DOGE is going to look at Musk." The US president goes on to say "we're going to save a fortune" and ends with a warning for Musk. "I don't think he should be playing that game with me," he says.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Elon Musk now expresses regret for wild CPAC chainsaw display: ‘It lacked empathy'
Amid the renewed feud between Donald Trump and one-time 'first buddy' Elon Musk, the world's richest man is now expressing some contrition over his wild antics at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, which saw him wielding a giant chainsaw on stage. With the president's signature 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' lumbering to the finish line this week, Musk reignited his hostilities with Trump over the legislation, which had simmered down about a month ago after the former DOGE figurehead had previously lashed out over the megabill. 'If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,' Musk tweeted on Monday night to his 220 million X followers. 'Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.' Thinking the dispute was over after Musk deleted his most inflammatory online attacks last month and publicly apologized for them following a phone call, Trump has since returned fire and even suggested that he'd 'take a look' at deporting the billionaire. Additionally, the president has threatened to turn Musk's government dismantling brainchild against the Tesla CEO. 'We might have to put DOGE on Elon,' Trump said on Tuesday. 'You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.' While the tech mogul said it was 'so tempting to escalate this' over Trump's deportation threat but that he'd 'refrain for now,' Musk did respond to one critic who brought up his CPAC performance. Reacting to Musk's tweet about the debt ceiling being the 'only thing that will actually force the government to cut waste and fraud,' an X user noted that maybe Musk 'shouldn't have taken the chainsaw on stage and acted a fool,' adding that the former Trump adviser 'could have gotten more done if you weren't so worried about looking cool.' 'Valid point,' Musk replied. 'Milei gave me the chainsaw backstage and I ran with it, but, in retrospect, it lacked empathy.' During his February appearance at CPAC, Musk was gifted a large power tool by Argentine President Javier Milei, which had become a symbol of the populist leader's political campaign. Clad in a Dark MAGA baseball cap, all black attire and sunglasses, Musk pranced around the stage while swinging his new gift around. 'This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,' he excitedly shouted. 'I have become the meme. Yeah, pretty much,' Musk exclaimed while the CPAC crowd cheered him on. 'It's like, there's living the dream and living the meme, and it's pretty much what's happening, you know? I mean, DOGE started out as a meme, think about it, and now it's real. Isn't that crazy? But it's cool.' Following the event, the SpaceX founder would briefly change his X profile picture to him holding the chainsaw, adding the caption: 'Dogefather.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump to Consider Deporting Musk: ‘We'll Have to Take a Look,' Says ‘DOGE Is the Monster That Might Have to Go Back and Eat Elon'
The feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk is still boiling on the front-burner — with Trump saying he will 'take a look' at whether the U.S. will deport the South African-born tech billionaire. Trump and Musk were one-time close political allies before they had a major rift over the Trump-backed congressional spending bill, which Musk called 'a disgusting abomination.' Musk has continued to slam Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' as 'utterly insane' by adding trillions to the U.S. national debt, raising the debt ceiling by a staggering $5 trillion, and rolling back subsidies for clean energy while introducing a new incentive for coal production. More from Variety Trump Drops Federal Lawsuit Over Ann Selzer Poll, Refiles in State Court Trump and CBS in 'Advanced' Settlement Talks in '60 Minutes' Case as Deal Appears Close Canada Drops Digital Services Tax at 11th Hour, Backing Down After Trump Terminated Trade Talks Over the Issue On Tuesday, the president was asked by a reporter on the White House grounds whether Trump would 'deport' Musk. Trump said, 'I don't know. We'll have to take a look.' Musk holds citizenship in the U.S., Canada and South Africa (where he was born). Trump also suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE — the cost-cutting division unpopular among Americans that Musk led before exiting the administration in late May — might consider slashing incentives that Musk's companies receive from the U.S. government. 'We may have to put DOGE on Elon,' Trump commented. '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.' Responding to Trump's remarks about deportation and DOGE, Musk wrote on X, 'So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.' In a post Tuesday at 12:44 a.m. ET, Trump wrote on Truth Social, '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.' Trump added in the post, 'Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!' On Tuesday, Musk wrote about Trump's spending bill, 'Removal of funding for enforcement of federal contempt of court orders is the actual crux of this spending bill. This is nominally aimed at removal of illegal immigrants, but obviously also enables many other abuses of power by the President.' Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, had donated about $275 million to his 2024 election campaign. Musk headed DOGE for the Trump administration before he exited as a 'special government employee' in late May. About Musk's criticism of the spending bill, Trump alleged that Musk was unhappy because the bill removed incentives for electric vehicles, which would benefit Tesla. The feud escalated and Musk claimed in a post on X (which he has since deleted) that Trump 'is in the Epstein files,' which he asserted 'is the real reason they haven't been made public.' Trump on Tuesday reiterated his claim that Musk was 'very upset' that the spending bill cuts EV incentives. 'Not everyone wants an electric car!' the president told reporters. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Gizmodo
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
Trump Was Just Asked If He'll Deport Elon Musk
War has now been declared between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The alliance between the two powerful men has shattered, and their escalating feud has now reached a stunning new level: Trump was asked on Tuesday if he would deport Musk, who was born in South Africa but became a U.S. citizen in 2002. 'Are you going to deport Elon Musk?' a reporter asked the president. 'I don't know,' Trump responded, before adding ominously, 'We'll have to take a look.' He then threatened to use a weapon that Musk knows intimately, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk himself once led. 'We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? The DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible?' This public threat follows a fiery overnight post on Truth Social, where Trump first deployed the nativist insult. After Musk launched a series of scathing attacks against the president's 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' Trump fired back. '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 wrote. 'No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.' Conflict between the two men reignited late last week as the Senate prepared to vote on the president's signature bill. The legislation is a direct threat to Musk's businesses, as it completely eliminates the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles and imposes new taxes on the clean energy sector. In response, Musk threatened to create a third political party if the bill passes. Trump's response also targeted the EV industry directly. 'Elon [Musk] can lose more than that,' Trump told reporters Tuesday. 'Not everyone wants an electric car. I don't want an electric car.' A few minutes after the president's remarks to reporters, Musk responded on his platform, X, with defiant restraint. 'So tempting to escalate this,' the Tesla and SpaceX founder said. '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, 2025The market, however, has reacted with less restraint. Following the president's comments, Tesla's stock dropped nearly 7% as trading began on Tuesday.
