Trump's threat-like warning to Musk: He could lose more

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House to visit an immigrant detention center in Florida.

Donald Trump said that he would discuss the situation in Gaza and Iran during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, July 7.

Trump expressed hope that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be reached next week. "We hope that happens (the ceasefire). We look forward to it happening within the next week. We want to save the hostages (in Gaza)," Trump said.

"ELON COULD LOSE MUCH MORE THAN THAT"

Trump also responded to a question about whether he would deport billionaire Elon Musk, who served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) until May and with whom tensions have recently escalated again, by saying, "I don't know. We'll have to take a look at that." Trump stated that the reason Musk opposes the tax cut bill is that the bill would end support for electric vehicles. "He's very upset, but you know, he could lose much more than that. Elon could lose much more than that," Trump said.

Trump also said that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk chaired before resigning in late May, might consider cutting the subsidies that Musk's companies receive from the U.S. government.

Musk holds citizenship in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa (his place of birth).

TENSIONS BETWEEN TRUMP AND MUSK

Elon Musk, the world's richest person and co-founder and CEO of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, was Trump's largest donor in the 2024 election and was among the closest figures to Trump until May. A sharp disagreement arose between the two over the tax cut bill, and Musk has reiterated his criticisms in recent days, accusing Republicans of "abandoning efforts to move the U.S. to the forefront of the electric vehicle and clean energy revolution." Most recently, Musk stated that if the bill is passed, a new political party called the "America Party" would be formed.

News Source: İHA