In a stunning development that has taken the political and business worlds by surprise, former President Donald Trump has issued a shocking public warning regarding billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, suggesting that he could be deported from the United States following the removal of major tax breaks for Tesla. The statement, made just 30 minutes ago during a fiery rally in Arizona, has sent ripples through social media, Wall Street, and Washington alike.
Speaking to a large crowd of supporters, Trump said, “We gave Elon everything. We supported him, we made Tesla what it is in America. But now he wants to play both sides. If he’s not loyal to this country, maybe he shouldn’t stay here.” The former president’s remarks were met with loud cheers from the audience, but they also sparked immediate backlash and confusion.
The controversy began earlier this week when the Biden administration announced a significant rollback of federal tax incentives and subsidies previously granted to Tesla. Officials cited non-compliance with certain labor and environmental guidelines as reasons for the cuts. While the move was applauded by some unions and progressive groups, it was seen by others as a political swipe at Musk, who has become an increasingly vocal critic of government policies and has frequently clashed with federal agencies.
Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, responded to Trump’s comments on X (formerly Twitter) just minutes after the speech. “This is absurd and dangerous rhetoric. I’ve invested more in America than almost any CEO alive. Threatening to deport me for political reasons? That’s not the country I believed in,” Musk posted.
Legal experts have also weighed in, pointing out that as a U.S. citizen, Musk cannot be deported without extraordinary legal justification, such as citizenship fraud, which has not been alleged or proven. “This appears to be political theater rather than a legitimate threat,” said Professor James Halberton, a constitutional law scholar at Georgetown University.
Despite that, the implications of Trump’s remarks are being widely debated. Some see it as a warning to powerful tech leaders to align with nationalist and pro-Trump agendas, while others view it as a reckless attack on innovation and investment. Wall Street reacted quickly, with Tesla shares dropping nearly 4% in after-hours trading amid uncertainty surrounding the company’s future relationship with federal regulators.
Meanwhile, members of Congress from both parties have expressed concern over the escalating rhetoric. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said, “Targeting American citizens based on political views is not just undemocratic — it’s dangerous.” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), however, supported Trump’s sentiment, saying, “We need to ensure tech billionaires are not undermining our values.”
With the 2024 election season heating up, Trump’s comments may be a sign of how deeply the culture war is now intertwined with economic and immigration issues. Whether his words lead to actual legal action or remain a provocative soundbite remains to be seen, but the message is clear: even billionaires like Elon Musk are not immune to political firestorms in today’s America.
