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By Anna Commander
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Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, questioned billionaire Elon Musk's immigration status on Thursday and called for Trump to "initiate a formal investigation" because he believes Musk "is an illegal alien."
Newsweek reached out to Musk through X, formerly Twitter, via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
Musk was born in South Africa and lived there for nearly two decades before immigrating to Canada with his family. Musk then lived in the United States while attending the University of Pennsylvania. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002, according to his biography written by Walter Isaacson.
Read More on Politics
Musk was tasked to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the early days of Trump's second term in office. The two have been tangling in a public feud this week related to what Trump has called his "big, beautiful bill," which passed in the House.
Republican Party infighting could imperil the bill due to the GOP's narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress as well as the united front Democrats have formed against the legislation.
What To Know
According to The New York Times, Bannon said in a phone interview: "They should initiate a formal investigation of his [Musk] immigration status because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported from the country immediately."
Newsweek previously reached out to Bannon via text message on Thursday.
The Times also reported that Bannon said Musk's security clearance should be suspended amid the investigation and also urged the White House to probe allegations of his drug use and accusations that he attempted to obtain a briefing on China from the Department of Defense.
Musk disputed that he asked for a briefing on China, calling the Times "pure propaganda." He also defended himself against the allegations of drug use.
Bannon has been a notable Musk critic and questioned his immigration status in the past, calling him a "parasitic illegal immigrant."
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What People Are Saying
Trump on Truth Social Thursday: "I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It's a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn't pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Musk on X Thursday: "The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year"
What Happens Next
It is immediately unclear if Trump will move to investigate Musk's immigration status. Musk said that SpaceX will "begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately" amid Trump's comment about potentially cutting contracts and subsidies for the SpaceX CEO.
Update 6/5/25, 6:03 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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