In a shocking escalation of their high-profile feud, President Donald Trump has reportedly announced plans to expel Elon Musk from the United States and revoke his U.S. citizenship, citing alleged immigration violations from the 1990s. The unprecedented move, allegedly declared during a fiery speech at a Florida rally, has sent ripples through global markets and social media. In response, Elon Musk, the billionaire mastermind behind Tesla and SpaceX, has left everyone stunned with a bold and unexpected gesture: praising Trump’s leadership and vowing to fund a new political party to “restore America’s greatness.”
A Feud Boils Over
The clash between Trump and Musk, once allies in the 2024 election, reached a boiling point over Musk’s fierce criticism of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a tax and spending package that Musk slammed as a “disgusting abomination” for adding $5 trillion to the national debt. Trump retaliated by threatening to slash billions in federal contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies, including SpaceX’s NASA deals and Tesla’s electric vehicle tax credits. On July 1, 2025, Trump hinted at deportation, telling reporters, “We’ll have to take a look. We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” referencing the Department of Government Efficiency Musk once led.
Now, Trump has reportedly gone further, claiming Musk’s 2002 U.S. citizenship was obtained through “fraudulent means.” The announcement allegedly points to a 2024 Washington Post report that Musk worked illegally in the U.S. in the 1990s while on a J-1 student visa, launching his startup Zip2 without proper work authorization. Trump is said to have declared, “Elon’s been lying to America for decades. He’s no citizen—he’s an illegal who needs to go back to South Africa!”
Legal experts caution that revoking citizenship is a rare and complex process, requiring proof of willful misrepresentation in court. “Denaturalization is a high bar,” said Neama Rahmani of West Coast Trial Lawyers. “Musk’s contributions to the U.S. economy make this a tough case, even with evidence of past violations.” Musk has denied the allegations, insisting his visa status was legal.
Musk’s Stunning Response
In a move that has left political analysts and X users reeling, Musk responded not with defiance but with a surprising olive branch. On July 3, 2025, he posted on X, “Credit where credit is due. Donald Trump has successfully resolved several serious conflicts around the world,” praising Trump’s ceasefire diplomacy. Hours earlier, Musk had hinted at restraint, writing, “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”
But Musk didn’t stop there. In a follow-up announcement that stunned the internet, he pledged $500 million to launch a new political party, the “American Innovation Party,” aimed at “restoring fiscal responsibility and technological leadership.” Musk declared, “America needs a fresh start, not more debt and division. I’ll fight for its future, citizen or not.” The move has sparked wild speculation, with some on X calling it a “genius power play” to counter Trump’s threats, while others see it as a desperate bid to stay relevant. One X user posted, “Elon’s playing 4D chess—praising Trump while building his own empire!”
Global Reactions and Economic Stakes
The alleged citizenship revocation has ignited fierce debate. Trump allies like Steve Bannon have doubled down, calling Musk a “parasitic illegal immigrant” who should lose his contracts. Meanwhile, tech leaders warn that targeting Musk could destabilize the U.S. economy, given SpaceX’s critical role in national security and Tesla’s market dominance. “Deporting Musk would be like grounding NASA,” one X user quipped.
The legal path forward is murky. Denaturalization requires federal court approval, and Musk could appeal, citing his U.S.-citizen children and decades of residency. Immigration lawyer Greg Gaffney noted Musk could apply for cancellation of removal, proving “exceptional hardship” to his family. However, the political fallout is already seismic, with markets jittery over potential disruptions to Tesla and SpaceX.
A High-Stakes Showdown
Trump’s reported move and Musk’s audacious response mark a turning point in their fractured alliance. Once seen together at White House events, the duo’s feud now threatens to reshape U.S. politics and industry. Musk’s new party could challenge Trump’s base in the 2026 midterms, while Trump’s DOGE investigation could cripple Musk’s empire. As the world watches, one thing is clear: this clash of titans is far from over, and Musk’s next move could redefine America’s future.
Note: This article is a speculative piece based on unverified claims and does not reflect confirmed developments. No official announcement of Elon Musk’s citizenship revocation or expulsion has been verified as of July 4, 2025. The reported response aligns with posts on X about Musk’s praise for Trump. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
