Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sparked political shockwaves after publicly calling for the removal of former U.S. President Donald Trump from holding any future political office.
Musk made the statement on social media late Tuesday, citing what he described as “ongoing threats to democracy and national unity” posed by Trump’s rhetoric and influence, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
“Donald Trump’s actions and words continue to divide America. We need responsible leadership, not chaos disguised as patriotism,” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter), the platform he owns.
The remarks come amid growing political tension following Trump’s renewed push for a political comeback and his involvement in several legal battles tied to the January 6 Capitol riot, classified document handling, and alleged election interference.
While Musk has occasionally expressed support for some of Trump’s policies in the past — particularly on deregulation and free speech — he has also criticized the former president’s behavior and inflammatory language.
Trump allies were quick to fire back. A senior aide to the former president accused Musk of “meddling in democratic processes” and called his comments “unpatriotic and out of touch.”
Political analysts say Musk’s intervention could carry weight among independent voters and younger Americans, particularly as the tech mogul continues to wield significant influence through his companies — including X, Tesla, and SpaceX.
This is not the first time Musk has waded into political waters, but his latest call — suggesting Trump should be barred from political office altogether — marks one of his most direct confrontations with the former president to date.
It remains unclear whether Musk’s remarks will have any legal or political impact, but they are certain to fuel further debate as the U.S. heads into another deeply polarized election season.
