Washington, D.C. — Steve Bannon, the former strategist for Donald Trump, intensified his attacks on tech magnate Elon Musk during a recent podcast, insisting that the former president should look into Musk’s immigration status and consider deportation. Bannon’s outburst came against the backdrop of a contentious exchange between Musk and Trump regarding the president’s legislative initiatives.
In a segment of his “War Room” podcast, Bannon contended that Musk may be in the United States illegally and should be removed. This dramatic stance follows a public conflict that ignited after Musk criticized Trump’s tax and spending plans, labeling them as deeply flawed. Trump, in turn, expressed disappointment over Musk’s comments and highlighted the substantial support he had offered the billionaire in the past.
The dispute escalated further when Musk threatened to dismantle SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft program, which is vital for NASA’s missions to the International Space Station. In response, Bannon urged Trump to utilize the Defense Production Act—an authority that allows the president to prioritize government contracts—to take over SpaceX as a matter of national security. This action, while unprecedented, is one that Bannon believes should be considered immediately.
Bannon’s rhetoric included allegations of Musk’s potential drug use and suggestions that he had attempted to gain access to sensitive Pentagon briefings related to China. He pushed for an inquiry into these claims and proposed that Musk’s security clearance should be suspended pending the results of any investigations.
As tensions mounted, both figures took to social media to air their grievances. Trump threatened to revoke significant government subsidies and contracts linked to Musk’s various enterprises. Musk retaliated by endorsing Trump’s impeachment and referencing allegations tying Trump to the controversial figure Jeffrey Epstein.
The fallout from the feud has affected Tesla’s market performance, with shares plummeting nearly 14% on the same day, wiping out approximately $150 billion in market value, a record drop for the company. Investors voiced concerns over the potential repercussions of government contract losses, fueling skepticism around Musk’s business future.
Amidst this turmoil, Musk’s resolve concerning SpaceX dimmed after initially announcing intentions to halt the Dragon program. The spacecraft is integral to U.S. space operations, especially after the retirement of the space shuttle, as NASA has increasingly relied on private partnerships for access to space.
Bannon’s longstanding criticism extends beyond this recent spat, with past remarks branding Musk as “a parasitic illegal immigrant.” Despite becoming a naturalized American citizen in 2002, questions linger over the legitimacy of Musk’s immigration history, particularly regarding his original student visa.
Bannon’s provocative statements came shortly after his release from federal prison, where he served time for contempt of Congress related to his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot. The fallout from these comments continues to ripple through both the tech and political spheres as both Musk and Trump navigate a complex and public relationship.