In a rapidly unfolding dispute, US President Donald Trump has suggested that his administration might consider deporting Elon Musk, the South African-born tech mogul and naturalized US citizen.

This dramatic escalation comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two, fueled by disagreements over economic policies.

The feud, which began with criticisms of the tax cuts and spending bill, has now introduced the ominous specter of government intervention into Musk's businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX.

Trump's comments about deporting Musk were accompanied by a veiled threat to review the substantial US government subsidies that support these ventures, hinting at potential cutbacks.

This development marks a significant deterioration in the relationship between the former allies, whose political bond had been publicly evident through Musk's vocal support for Trump during his re-election campaign and the subsequent launch of the DOGE project.

The dispute has not only exposed deep-seated disagreements on economic policy but also raised questions about the vulnerability of business interests tied to government funding in times of political tension.