Former White House adviser Steve Bannon has publicly called on President Donald Trump to investigate Elon Musk’s immigration status and deport the South African–born tech billionaire, after a bitter spat between Trump and Musk escalated on June 5.
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According to The New York Times, Bannon told the paper on Thursday:
“They should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported from the country immediately.”
Bannon’s comments came hours after Musk and Trump exchanged scathing posts over the contentious One Big Beautiful Bill Act. During a live broadcast of his “Bannon’s War Room” webcast on Thursday evening, Bannon doubled down:
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“Elon Musk is illegal, and he’s got to go. He’s illegal? Deport immediately,” he said. “You’re going to ship these other people home. Let’s start with the South Africans, OK?”
Musk, who immigrated from South Africa via Canada before obtaining U.S. citizenship, served briefly as the head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) until his departure last week. He has donated roughly $250 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Bannon also cited unverified reports of Musk’s alleged ketamine use on the campaign trail as grounds for further investigation. “The drug thing is going to be investigated,” Bannon added, referencing a recent New York Times story claiming Musk used ketamine and other substances during Trump’s campaign events—claims Musk has denied.
The feud intensified after Musk criticized Trump’s tax-and-spending omnibus bill as a “disgusting abomination.” Trump, in response, defended the legislation during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, telling reporters he was “very surprised” and “disappointed” by Musk’s attacks.
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Bannon urged Trump to cancel all government contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, and Starlink.
“It needs dramatic action. I would pull all the contracts immediately,” Bannon said on War Room.
Bannon also expressed frustration at Musk’s social media posts linking Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and claiming credit for Trump’s election win.
“President Trump empowered him more than anyone in this government… then as soon as Trump spoke about the bill, the guy gets up and starts tweeting the most vicious stuff you can tweet,” Bannon stated.
As of now, the Trump administration has not confirmed any plans to investigate Musk’s immigration status or revoke contracts. But Bannon’s demands have sparked debate over the former ally’s future in American business and politics.
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