Trump: ‘DOGE Is The Monster That Might Have To Go Back And Eat Elon’
President Donald Trump sharpened his attacks on Elon Musk Tuesday, floating the idea of launching a federal review—and even deportation—after the billionaire intensified his crusade against Trump’s signature spending bill.
Speaking outside the White House ahead of a visit to Florida’s new “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center, Trump didn’t hold back.
“DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump said, referencing the Department of Government Efficiency, the watchdog agency Musk once led. When asked if deporting Musk to South Africa was on the table, Trump replied, “I don’t know, we’ll have to take a look.”
The escalation follows Musk’s fiery threats to bankroll primary challengers against Republicans who support Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” and his declaration that he would launch a third party—the “America Party”—if the legislation passes.
“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history,” Trump posted Monday night. “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric cars—and our country would save a FORTUNE.”
?? Reporter: Are you going to deport Elon Musk?
Trump: We’ll have to take a look. We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is, the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon, wouldn’t that be terrible. He gets a lot of subsidies. pic.twitter.com/CwIHLykUab
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 1, 2025
Trump also reminded the public that he has long opposed the federal EV mandate, a point of friction Musk recently seized upon in his growing criticism of the administration.
The feud deepened after Musk suggested last month that Trump was suppressing the release of Epstein files to protect himself—a claim Musk later walked back, admitting it “went too far.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s economic team is pushing hard to finalize the “Big, Beautiful Bill” by July 4, which would extend the Trump tax cuts, overhaul regulations, and supercharge U.S. energy production—moves Musk now opposes, citing skyrocketing national debt and cuts to green subsidies.
“Elon endorsed me knowing full well where I stand,” Trump said. “Now he’s throwing a tantrum because we’re putting the American worker first and cutting waste.”
With the House expected to vote again by week’s end, the showdown between Trump and Musk now looms as a political brawl with massive implications for 2026—and beyond.