The Tesla CEO's conciliatory tone marks a shift from his previous combative stance. On Tuesday, when Trump threatened to deport him, Musk had responded: "So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now"12.

Trump had told reporters he would "take a look" at deporting Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2002, when asked about the possibility while heading to visit a Florida immigration detention facility23. "We might have to put DOGE on Elon," Trump said, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency that Musk once led. "DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon"34.

The conflict stems from Musk's opposition to Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which would eliminate the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric vehicles. Trump accused Musk of attacking the legislation because it dropped measures supporting the EV industry12.

"Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa," Trump wrote on Truth Social2. Trump also suggested that DOGE could investigate Musk's government subsidies and contracts, claiming Musk received "more subsidies than any human being in history"12.

The U.S. Senate narrowly passed the massive tax-cut and spending bill on Tuesday, which would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs, and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt1.

Musk and Trump's relationship deteriorated after initially collaborating on Trump's election victory and early agenda. Musk left the White House in June on poor terms due to his opposition to Trump's signature legislation1. The SpaceX CEO has threatened to launch his own political party, the "American Party," if Trump's bill becomes law2.

The rare denaturalization process to remove citizenship remains legally complex, though Trump has not ruled out exploring the option3.