Bannon Vows to ‘Run Elon Musk Out’ by Inauguration Day, Suggests X Boss ‘Should go Back to South Africa’
In a searing interview that has sent shockwaves through conservative circles, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon has launched an unprecedented attack on tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Bannon shockingly vowed to dismantle the Tesla CEO’s burgeoning influence within Donald Trump’s inner circle before the presidential inauguration.
“I will have Elon Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day,” Bannon declared to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera in comments that were later translated on Breitbart.
Some X users have not been thrilled with Bannon’s statements.
The former White House chief strategist didn’t mince words, calling Musk “a truly evil guy” and asserting that he had made it his “personal thing to take this guy down.”
Daily Mail reported that the bitter feud comes as Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and X, has skillfully positioned himself as a key ally to the president-elect.
Trump has appointed Musk to co-lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alongside Vivek Ramamswamy.
The department, tasked with reducing government waste and trimming the federal budget, has been given an ambitious deadline of July 4, 2026.
Bannon’s animosity appears to stem primarily from Musk’s stance on immigration reform, particularly regarding high-tech visas.
The former Trump advisor took direct aim at the H-1B visa program, which he claims is being exploited by Silicon Valley leaders.
“The entire immigration system is gamed by the tech overlords,” Bannon argued, citing statistics that “76 percent of engineers working in Silicon Valley are non-Americans.”
In a particularly controversial attack, Bannon questioned Musk’s South African origins, suggesting he “should go back to South Africa” and challenging why “white South Africans” should have any say in U.S. affairs.
“No blacks or Hispanics have any of these jobs or any access to these jobs,” Bannon added, targeting what he sees as systemic issues in tech industry hiring practices.
Musk’s support for Trump crystallized following an unsuccessful assassination attempt against the former president at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania this past June.
Daily Mail added that the tech mogul is currently residing at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, reportedly occupying a $2,000-per-night cottage since the November election, further cementing his position within Trump’s inner circle.
Bannon’s own relationship with Trump has been marked by dramatic ups and downs.
After serving as chief strategist for seven months in 2017, he was later convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a Jan. 6 committee subpoena.
He recently completed a four-month prison sentence, ending Oct. 29, 2024, though speculation is rife that Trump might issue a pardon clearing his record.
Whether Bannon maintains any real influence over Trump’s decisions remains a matter of debate, Daily Mail suggested.
He continues to command significant respect within the MAGA movement, however, potentially giving weight to his threats against Musk’s White House access.
“Before, because he put money in, I was prepared to tolerate it; I’m not prepared to tolerate it anymore,” Bannon stated, suggesting a deeper history of tension between the two powerful figures.
As the inauguration approaches, this high-stakes conflict between two of Trump’s most prominent allies threatens to create significant divisions within the president-elect’s support base, potentially forcing Trump to choose between two influential figures in his orbit.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Leave a Comment