On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump suggested he might consider deporting Elon Musk after the South African-born billionaire criticized his signature spending bill. Trump also hinted that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — formerly led by Musk until his resignation in late May — could begin scrutinizing the government subsidies received by the Tesla and SpaceX chief. “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he would consider deporting Musk. “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.” Trump doubled down on the threat when he said he believed Musk was attacking his so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” because he was annoyed that it had dropped measures to support electric vehicles (EV). “He’s losing his EV mandate. He’s very upset about things, but you know, he could lose a lot more than that, I can tell you right now. Elon can lose a lot more than that.” Trump made similar comments on his Truth Social network late Monday, saying that “without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.” Musk, the world’s richest person, was Trump’s biggest donor in the 2024 election and initially maintained a near constant presence at the newly elected president’s side. They had an acrimonious public falling out this month over the bill and the tycoon has reprised his criticisms in recent days, accusing Republicans of abandoning efforts to place the United States at the front of the EV and clean energy revolution. Musk has also renewed his calls for the formation of a new political party called the “America Party” if the bill passed.