Former White House adviser Steve Bannon has urged President Donald Trump to launch an investigation into Elon Musk’s immigration status and deport the South African-born billionaire following a public fallout between Musk and Trump on Thursday, June 5.
In an interview with The New York Times, Bannon, a prominent figure in Trump’s MAGA movement, claimed, “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.”
The call came after a heated exchange between Trump and Musk erupted over Trump’s controversial One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with both figures trading jabs throughout the day on social media.
Appearing on his War Room webcast, Bannon launched further attacks on Musk, who until recently served as head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“Elon Musk is illegal, and he’s got to go,” Bannon said. “He’s illegal? Deport immediately. You’re going to ship these other people home—let’s start with the South Africans, OK?”
Musk, who has donated approximately $250 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, was born and raised in South Africa before moving to Canada and eventually becoming a U.S. citizen while building his business empire, including Tesla, SpaceX, and social platform X.
Questions surrounding Musk’s immigration history resurfaced after The Washington Post reported last year that Musk had worked illegally in the U.S. before obtaining citizenship. The report has fueled renewed scrutiny from Bannon and other critics over the legality of Musk’s naturalisation.
Bannon also cited concerns over Musk’s alleged drug use as further grounds for deportation. The New York Times recently reported that Musk’s supposed ketamine use has raised red flags within Trump’s inner circle—claims Musk has denied. “The drug thing is going to be investigated,” Bannon added.
The rift between Trump and Musk has widened in recent days, particularly after Musk criticised Trump’s megabill under review in Congress, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” Trump defended the bill, escalating tensions.
Bannon expressed strong support for Trump’s suggestion to cancel federal contracts with Musk’s companies. “It needs dramatic action. I would pull all the contracts immediately,” he said.
He also condemned Musk’s posts on X, in which Musk appeared to link Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and even took credit for Trump’s election victory.
“President Trump empowered him more than anyone in this government—had his back, promoted him, even when people like me warned, ‘This guy’s going to turn on you. He’s not with us. He’s incompetent,’” Bannon said. “Then today, when President Trump offers a mild critique of the bill, the guy responds by tweeting the most vicious things imaginable.”
