NBC News reported just 30 minutes ago a bombshell statement from former President Donald Trump that sent shockwaves through both the political and tech worlds. Speaking at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump took direct aim at Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, issuing an ultimatum that stunned even his closest allies: “I request Elonk to voluntarily move out of the United States within the next 10 days. If he doesn’t, I will definitely make sure he regrets staying. That’s not a threat, it’s a promise.”
The mispronunciation of “Elon” as “Elonk” did not go unnoticed online, quickly trending on Twitter with thousands mocking the remark. But the content of Trump’s statement was far from humorous. His demand that one of the world’s most prominent billionaires exit the country has no legal standing, but it carries significant symbolic weight and signals a deepening rift between Trump’s populist base and Silicon Valley’s elite.
Sources close to the Trump campaign suggest that this outburst was fueled by Musk’s recent criticisms of Trump’s 2024 campaign tactics, particularly his re-use of culture war narratives and what Musk called “the politics of chaos.” The tension between the two moguls has been simmering for years, but today’s threat elevated it to an unprecedented level.
Trump continued during the rally: “He came here from South Africa, he made billions in America, and now he thinks he’s above the Constitution, above our people. I’ve had enough of these ungrateful billionaires who think they run the show.” He then hinted that Musk had been working against American interests by “meddling in Ukraine” and “collaborating with globalist puppets” through his Starlink satellite program.
While Musk has yet to issue a formal response, insiders at X (formerly Twitter) say that he was caught off guard by the attack and is in “emergency meetings” with his legal and PR teams. Musk has previously endorsed some of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding deregulation and tax reform, but their relationship has become increasingly erratic. Just last month, Musk posted cryptic tweets alluding to “tyrants in red hats” and “clowns pretending to be kings.”
Legal experts were quick to weigh in on the matter. Constitutional scholar Professor Dana Whitmore commented, “The President has absolutely no authority to exile a citizen or permanent resident, regardless of their political opinions. This is not North Korea. This is clearly political theater, but it’s dangerous nonetheless.”
However, Trump supporters at the rally erupted in cheers when the statement was made. Chants of “Kick him out!” and “America First, Billionaires Last!” filled the venue. Many of them view Musk as a traitor who pretended to be a free speech advocate while allegedly “censoring conservatives” on X and aligning with liberal causes like environmentalism and AI regulation.
Adding fuel to the fire, several right-wing commentators quickly jumped on the narrative. Steve Bannon on his podcast said, “Musk has been playing both sides. He’s not our friend. If he won’t stand with Trump, then he should pack his bags and go back to Pretoria.” Others even speculated that Musk might be aiding the Biden administration through backdoor tech deals.
On the flip side, Democrats and tech leaders condemned Trump’s outburst as “unhinged” and “a clear abuse of rhetoric that endangers private citizens.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, “Today it’s Elon. Tomorrow it’s a journalist. This is how authoritarianism starts.”
Wall Street also responded with anxiety. Shares of Tesla dropped 4.5% in after-hours trading, while SpaceX partners reportedly began questioning ongoing contracts. The Department of Defense, which uses Starlink in several military operations, refused to comment on whether Trump’s statement could affect future collaborations.
As of now, Elon Musk remains in the United States, and sources say he has no intention of leaving. Whether Trump’s words are merely bluster or a sign of an even more chaotic campaign season ahead, one thing is certain — the clash between the populist right and the technocratic elite has reached a boiling point, and it’s far from over.
This explosive development has left the nation wondering: What happens on Day 11?
