Conflict Deepens Between President Trump and Elon Musk. Trump Threatens Musk with Deportation to Africa. Debate Erupts Over Musk's Journey from Africa to America.
Elon-Trump: A new controversy emerged in American politics when President Donald Trump threatened to deport Elon Musk from the United States. This dispute arose over the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a bill related to taxes and spending, which was debated extensively in the Senate before a vote. Trump targeted Musk for opposing the bill, bringing up his African connection and adding a new dimension to the conflict.
"You're running a business on subsidies, now go back to Africa" - Trump's attack
As soon as the bill passed the Senate, Trump launched a scathing attack on Elon Musk. He said that Musk had received more subsidies from the US government than perhaps anyone else. He claimed that without these subsidies, Musk would have to close his businesses and return to South Africa. Trump further added that without him, there would be no rocket launches or electric car production, which would also save the country money.
Musk's African Connection
Elon Musk was born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa. His father, Errol Musk, was an engineer and property dealer, while his mother, Maye Musk, was born in Canada but studied in South Africa. Musk spent his childhood in a society where apartheid, a system of racial segregation, was in place. His family enjoyed special privileges due to their white community status during that era.
Journey from South Africa to Canada and then to America
Around 1990, at the age of 17, Musk decided to move to Canada to avoid mandatory military service in South Africa. This was possible due to his mother's Canadian citizenship. Two years later, Musk moved to the United States and studied at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2002, he was granted American citizenship. Elon Musk currently holds citizenship in three countries – South Africa, Canada, and the United States.
Distance from Africa, but No Stranger to Criticism
Despite being born in South Africa, Musk has often been critical of the current government's policies there. He claimed that white citizens, especially farmers, were being oppressed. He also alleged the genocide of white farmers.
When he tried to launch Starlink service in Africa, he was denied a license due to the country's policy - which requires black citizens to have a mandatory stake in foreign companies. Musk called this policy racist.
Can Trump Actually Deport Musk from the US?
Donald Trump said in a press conference that he might consider deporting Musk from the United States. When asked if he would remove Musk from the country, he said, "We'll have to look at that." However, legally, this is not so simple.
Musk is a legal citizen of the United States and has all the necessary documents. To deport him, the government would have to prove that he provided false information or engaged in illegal activities while obtaining citizenship. Thus, Trump's threat is considered political rhetoric.
