Elon Musk and MAGA podcaster Steve Bannon reignited their bitter rivalry on Friday, trading barbs and legal threats in a dramatic escalation of their long-standing feud.
Bannon, speaking on his “War Room” podcast, lashed out at Musk over reports that the billionaire entrepreneur is considering launching a new political movement called the “America Party.” Bannon mocked the idea, calling Musk’s involvement un-American.
“A non-American starting the America Party?” Bannon said. “You’re not an American, you’re a South African. And if we take the time to prove that you committed crimes, you should be deported.”
This isn’t the first time Bannon has questioned Musk’s immigration status. Last month, he floated the baseless suggestion that Musk may be in the country illegally.
Musk quickly responded on X (formerly Twitter), launching a blistering attack of his own:
“The fat, drunken slob called Bannon will go back to prison — and this time for a long time. He has a lifetime of crime to pay for.”
Though Musk didn’t specify what new legal trouble Bannon might face, it’s not the first time he’s hinted at potential charges.
A History of Bad Blood
Musk and Bannon have both played outsized roles in Republican politics, but their paths have recently diverged — especially following the passage of Donald Trump’s controversial “big beautiful bill,” which Musk opposed.
Musk, who reportedly spent nearly $291 million during the 2024 election cycle (much of it to support Trump), threatened to form a new political party if the bill passed. It did — and Musk now appears to be making good on his word.
Bannon, a close Trump ally and architect of the MAGA movement, ridiculed Musk’s announcement and doubled down on his attacks, suggesting Musk should be removed from the country entirely.
Legal Shadows Over Bannon
Bannon, a former Trump campaign CEO and White House strategist, has a history of legal issues. He served four months in prison for contempt of Congress and received a presidential pardon from Trump in 2021 for a federal fraud case involving a border wall fundraising scam.
Earlier this year, Bannon pleaded guilty in a related state-level case. The plea deal allowed him to avoid more prison time — for now.
Musk’s warning that Bannon may land behind bars again appears to be a thinly veiled reference to those ongoing legal entanglements.
Fallout from the MAGA Civil War
Once a Trump mega-donor, Musk’s relationship with the former president soured over policy differences — particularly over the “big beautiful bill,” which Musk slammed for its sweeping Medicaid cuts and immigration provisions.
Meanwhile, Bannon has remained one of Trump’s most vocal defenders, recently meeting with the former president at the White House and continuing to push MAGA policies on his podcast.
As both men battle for influence within the conservative movement, their personal feud reflects deeper divisions inside Trump’s political orbit — and the fight may only just be getting started.
