In an unexpected turn of events, conservative commentator Steve Bannon, who previously served as an official in the Trump White House, has openly called for the deportation of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. The call for investigation and potential deportation arose after Musk, the CEO of several high-profile companies including SpaceX and Tesla, criticized President Donald Trump's support for a contentious spending bill and even called for his impeachment. The bill, passed by a narrow House margin, has been at the center of a public dispute between the president and the tech mogul.
The friction between Musk and Trump became public when Musk voiced his strong disapproval over the president's backing of the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill," a piece of legislation that Musk claims would substantially increase the federal U.S. deficit. Following Musk's denouncement of the bill and a call to his followers to oppose it, Bannon suggested that Trump should "immediately" look into Musk's immigration status, insinuating that the South African-born billionaire might be an "illegal alien" in the United States. Bannon's remarks, as reported by the New York Post and the New York Times, also included suggestions to investigate Musk's alleged drug use and efforts to access classified Pentagon briefings on China.
The contentious exchange between Musk and Trump came shortly after Musk ended his stint as a "special government employee," during which he led the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's opposition to the legislation, which Trump has endorsed for months, raised questions about his motivations, especially as Trump pointed out that Musk had been aware of the bill's details. The president expressed his disappointment with Musk's stance, particularly in light of their previous relationship and Musk's involvement in government projects.
In response to Trump's criticism and suggestions to cut government contracts with Musk's companies to save federal funds, Musk announced on Twitter that SpaceX would start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft. This significant move underscores the escalating tension between the two figures and signals potential impacts on both Musk's businesses and government operations related to space exploration and technology.
As the story continues to unfold, the wider implications of this public fallout between a former president and one of the world's most influential tech leaders will become clearer. The debate touches on issues of government spending, fiscal responsibility, and the often-complex relationships between political leaders and business magnates. For now, observers are left to ponder the outcomes of this high-stakes disagreement and the future of Musk's endeavors in the United States.
