WASHINGTON, July 2 (9News Nigeria) — U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated his ongoing feud with Elon Musk, suggesting that the tech billionaire’s naturalized citizenship status could come under federal scrutiny. The remarks, delivered via social media over the weekend, sparked sharp reactions and added new tension to a deteriorating relationship between the two high-profile figures.
The president questioned the legality of Musk’s immigration process, implying that the Department of Homeland Security should investigate his path to U.S. citizenship. Musk, who was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002, has not publicly addressed the suggestion in detail but hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was tempted to respond more forcefully.
“He came here from South Africa, and now he’s biting the hand that fed him,” Trump wrote. “We are looking very strongly at how he got into this country and whether everything was LEGAL. No one is above the law — not even Rocket Man!”
Trump’s post comes days after Musk criticized the administration’s recently passed tax and spending package, known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Musk labeled the legislation “fiscally insane,” saying on X (formerly Twitter), “This bill will bankrupt the country. No serious person could support it.”
In a separate thread, Musk appeared to mock Trump’s threat of deportation, posting:
“So tempting to escalate… but I won’t for now.”
He added in another post, “At some point, the people will realize that the ‘establishment’—left and right—hate anyone who can’t be controlled.”
The latest development follows a public clash over the administration’s recently passed budget legislation, dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which Musk criticized for its spending priorities. President Trump fired back by threatening to revoke government contracts and subsidies connected to Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla.
The fallout marks a dramatic turn in a relationship that was once politically aligned. Musk was a major financial backer of Trump’s 2024 campaign, reportedly donating more than $200 million and serving briefly as head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency following Trump’s re-election. He resigned from the post after just over four months, citing policy disagreements.
Since stepping down, Musk has become an increasingly vocal critic of the Trump administration, particularly on economic policy and immigration. The president has repeatedly used public forums to lash out at the billionaire, including raising questions about Musk’s alleged connections to controversial figures and foreign entities.
The dispute intensified last week when former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon publicly called for Musk’s deportation, describing him as an “illegal alien” and urging the government to seize control of SpaceX under the Defense Production Act.
Legal experts have noted that while revoking naturalized citizenship is extremely rare and legally complex, it remains within the realm of possibility if fraud or misrepresentation during the naturalization process can be proven.
The row has had economic consequences, with Tesla shares falling sharply in early trading Monday as investors reacted to the political uncertainty. SpaceX has not commented on the potential impact on its government contracts.
As the standoff deepens, both sides appear unwilling to de-escalate. The White House has not issued an official statement clarifying whether any legal proceedings are being initiated. Musk, meanwhile, has continued to post cryptic messages on social media but has avoided further direct comments on the president’s threat.
