--- title: "Trump Threatens to Sic DOGE on Elon Musk, Maybe Deport Him" description: "President Donald Trump has threatened to cut billionaire Elon Musk off completely by sending his own DOGE after him." date: "2025-07-01" modified: "2025-07-01" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/trump-threatens-doge-musk" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "doge" - "donald trump" - "elon musk" --- # Trump Threatens to Sic DOGE on Elon Musk, Maybe Deport Him ![President Donald Trump has threatened to cut billionaire Elon Musk off completely by sending his own DOGE after him.]() *\Image: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images\* President Donald Trump has threatened to cut billionaire Elon Musk off completely by sending his own so-called Department of Government Efficiency after him. In a [post]() on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump pointed out that Musk had long enjoyed crucial government support and billions of dollars in government contracts, which have historically allowed the mercurial CEO's firms to stay afloat. "Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa," Trump wrote. "No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE," he added. "Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!" And he wasn't done yet. "We might have to put DOGE on Elon," Trump [told reporters]() while preparing to board the Marine One helicopter. "DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible?" Asked whether he might deport Musk, Trump didn't rule out the possibility. "I don’t know," he [told media]() at the White House, adding that "we’ll have to take a look." Musk, for his part, has stuck to his guns, [reiterating his stance]() that electric vehicles shouldn't get any subsidies in the first place — despite his EV maker Tesla massively benefiting from tax credits in the past. "I am literally saying CUT IT ALL," Musk replied in a [tweet](). "Now." The bitter exchange shows that tensions clearly remain between the two. And that may not bode well for Tesla, which is [still reeling]() from [persistently crashing sales](), [enormous public backlash](), and a [disappointing and chaotic launch]() of its long-awaited robotaxi service. Trump's comments follow a [dramatic falling out]() between the unlikely pair of frenemies. Musk previously took aim at the president's so-called "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill, excorciating it as a "[disgusting abomination]()" — words that greatly angered the president. In early June, Trump [threatened]() to "terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," mockingly [adding]() in a Truth Social post that "I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!" In light of the scorching attacks, Musk [lost his temper](), making questionable accusations that [he eventually walked back](). But he's not done yet. Last week, he [called the bill]() "utterly insane and destructive," vowing to create his own political party if it [were to pass the Senate]() this week. Whether there's any credibility to Trump's latest threats to cut Musk off remains to be seen. The president has an extensive track record of making empty threats and flip-flopping on key policy decisions — though often while throwing his closest allies [under the bus](). But analysts say the president is holding the winning hand, especially considering Musk's well-documented [hotheadedness and vindictive nature](). Tesla is in a precarious position and could certainly benefit greatly from government support and subsidies — despite its CEO publicly advocating against them. "Musk cannot stop himself," Stock Trader Network chief strategist and Tesla investor Dennis Dick [told *Reuters*](). "He is getting on Trump's bad side again. Tesla international sales have fallen significantly and if he loses U.S. subsidies, US sales are likely to fall as well." "Musk needs Trump, Trump does not need Musk," he added. **More on Musk and Trump:** *[Elon Musk Posts "No Kings" Message as Protests Rage Against Trump]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()