• Steve Bannon calls for a formal investigation into Elon Musk's immigration status.
• The feud between Musk and Trump escalates following public criticisms.
• Musk faces allegations of drug use and illegal work during his early years in the US.
• Bannon's comments mark a significant deterioration in Musk's relationship with Trump.
• Potential implications for Musk's business dealings with the government are raised.

Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist and notable ally of President Donald Trump, has suggested that Elon Musk should be deported from the United States, citing concerns over his immigration status. In an interview with The New York Times, Bannon stated, "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," highlighting a backlash against Musk after his public criticisms of Trump and the Republican Party, according to aa.

This outburst comes amid a dramatic rupture in the professional relationship between Musk and Trump. Recently, Musk endorsed the impeachment of Trump and criticized his proposed spending policies, actions which appear to have provoked a strong reaction from the president. Trump, dissatisfied with Musk's remarks, responded by suggesting that the tech billionaire's government contracts might be in jeopardy, indicating he is "very disappointed" with Musk, according to CBS News and Newsweek.

Bannon's public comments further escalate the tensions, as he called for additional scrutiny not just of Musk's immigration status but also of his alleged drug use and ties to China. He argued for the need to investigate Musk's earlier work in the United States when he purportedly overstayed a visa while establishing businesses such as Zip2, without the necessary work authorization, according to CBS News and Newsweek.

The fallout is emblematic of Musk's swift transition from being a high-profile supporter of Trump and significant Republican donor—having contributed millions during the 2024 campaign—to a growing critic of the administration’s policies. Musk's recent claims regarding Trump's relationships and political stances, including allusions to Trump being implicated in the Epstein case, have intensified the scrutiny between the two also, as shown by their respective statements, according to aa, CBS News, and Newsweek.