'Elon Musk is an illegal alien...': Donald Trump is urged by former White House official to deport Musk immediately

The escalating feud between Elon Musk, the world’s richest entrepreneur, and former President Donald Trump has taken an explosive new turn.

Steve Bannon

, a former White House strategist and close Trump ally, has publicly urged Trump to investigate Musk’s immigration status and deport him “immediately.” This demand comes amid growing tensions between the billionaire CEO and the MAGA movement, which Musk once aligned with but has since distanced himself from.Bannon has also called for the federal government to seize Musk’s SpaceX company, invoking the Defense Production Act, in response to Musk’s threat to halt critical space missions. This article delves into the latest developments, the historical context of this feud, and the broader political implications of this extraordinary clash.

Steve Bannon’s call for Elon Musk’s deportation and government seizure of SpaceX

On April 24, 2025, Steve Bannon made headlines by urging President Donald Trump to take decisive action against Elon Musk. On his podcast “War Room,” Bannon insisted that Trump should invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to seize SpaceX, Musk’s rocket company, citing Musk’s threat to decommission the Dragon spacecraft that transports astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).

The Defense Production Act, originally enacted during the Korean War, empowers the president to compel private companies to prioritize government contracts essential to national defense. Trump famously used the DPA during the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate production of medical supplies. However, it is important to note that the Act does not explicitly authorize the government to seize private companies outright, raising legal questions about Bannon’s proposal.Bannon’s demand to seize SpaceX represents a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict. Musk later softened his stance, apparently backing off the threat to disable SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, but the call to investigate his immigration status and suspend his security clearances remains a serious political pressure point.

Allegations against Elon Musk: Immigration status and more

Bannon’s claims go beyond corporate control. He has expressed a “strong belief” that Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire who became a naturalized US citizen, is in the country illegally and must be deported immediately. He demanded a formal federal investigation into Musk’s immigration status, asserting that Musk’s past and current actions warrant government scrutiny.In addition, Bannon has called for probes into allegations of Musk’s drug use and claims that Musk sought classified Pentagon briefings on China — claims Musk has vehemently denied, labeling some reports as “pure propaganda.” Bannon also suggested suspending Musk’s security clearances and revoking federal contracts across his business empire, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter).

The background of the Musk-Trump fallout

The rift between Elon Musk and Donald Trump did not happen overnight. Musk was once a prominent Trump supporter, serving briefly as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and acting as a key presidential adviser. The relationship began to sour publicly when Musk vocally opposed Trump’s legislative priorities, especially the “One Big Beautiful Bill” currently under Congressional consideration. Musk condemned the bill as a “disgusting abomination” and urged lawmakers to kill it.The personal animosity intensified further after Musk accused Trump’s administration of withholding files related to Jeffrey Epstein, insinuating the president was protecting himself. Musk’s public support for impeachment proceedings against Trump and favoring Vice President JD Vance as a replacement deepened the divide.Trump, in turn, has expressed disappointment and frustration with Musk’s break from their alliance. He has threatened to revoke billions in federal contracts and subsidies Musk’s companies currently enjoy. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “I’ve helped Elon a lot,” but added that Musk had “gone crazy” and implied their relationship may be over.

Steve Bannon’s longstanding criticism of Elon Musk

Steve Bannon has been an outspoken critic of Musk since early 2025. He has repeatedly called Musk a “parasitic illegal immigrant” and accused him of disregarding American values and traditions. Bannon argues that Musk was given unprecedented power within the Trump administration but ultimately used it to serve his own interests rather than the country’s.On his podcast, Bannon stated, “As soon as [Musk] didn’t think he ran the deal or got the adoration, he turned on President Trump, MAGA, and most importantly, the country.” Bannon claims Musk financially supports progressive politicians and is involved in efforts to impeach Trump and influence election outcomes. He warned Trump’s supporters to be vigilant against Musk’s alleged betrayals.

The political and legal implications

This feud represents a rare convergence of political rivalry and national security concerns. Bannon’s call for deportation and company seizure is unprecedented for a tech entrepreneur of Musk’s stature. It raises significant questions about the limits of executive power, the role of immigration status in public discourse, and the use of government authority against private businesses.Musk’s companies are heavily intertwined with US government contracts, especially SpaceX’s critical role in national space and defense programs. Any disruption could have significant consequences for American space capabilities and technological leadership.