Steve Bannon: ‘If Elon Musk is in the US illegally, he should be deported’

Read time: 4 mins

In brief…

• Bannon tells The News Agents Elon Musk should be deported from the United States if he is found not to have the appropriate documents to remain.
• He says Musk’s recent apology concerning allegations made against Donald Trump on social media were like a “baby throwing up smashed peas” – and does not believe it was legitimate.
• Bannon does not believe Musk’s claim that Trump is named in the Epstein Files, and says the president’s supporters back him now more than ever.

What’s the story?

Steve Bannon has called for an official White House investigation into Elon Musk, his US citizenship, alleged drug use and connections to the Chinese government.

Speaking to The News Agents, Donald Trump’s chief strategist during the early months of his first presidency says Musk should face the same consequences as any undocumented citizen in America.

His comments come after protests in Los Angeles over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown on the hispanic community in part of the city.

Bannon says he supports the actions of ICE, and believes Musk may face the same consequences.

“If he overstayed his visa, if he lied on his new application, if he's here illegally he should be deported,” Bannon tells Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel.

“Why is a white South African billionaire any different from some person that came up from Central America?

“You can't deport folks from Central America that are working as gardeners – they're here illegally, we have to do that – and allow billionaires, white South African billionaires, to sit here.”

Bannon says he does not believe Musk is a legitimate US citizen.

“You have to play by the same rules. If you don't do that, then you're not going to be able to deport 10 million people that came here illegally,” he adds.

“The rules have got to be the same for everybody.”

‘Man-baby’ Musk apology ‘not legitimate’, Bannon says

Musk has been by Trump’s side since the MAGA Republican began campaigning for the 2024 US election, and later secured himself an unelected role in government, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with the goal of government spending. This was achieved by making sweeping cuts and axing thousands of jobs.

Musk stepped down from the role in May 2025, after delivering just a fraction of the $2 trillion in savings he initially promised.

Days later, Musk publicly criticised Donald Trump’s spending package, calling the President’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ a "disgusting abomination".

The Twitter/X owner then posted a series of claims and allegations on social media about Trump, including the suggestion he was named in the Epstein Files, and that the 2024 election had only been won by the Republicans because of his involvement in the Trump campaign.

He has since said he regrets "some" of what he said, and that he went "too far".

But Bannon isn't buying it.

"It was not an apology. It was 3am. He regrets some of the things he said.  He's a man child," he says.

"I equate it to a demanding baby burping and throwing up his smashed peas on his bib.

"I don't take any of that as legitimate. It was snarky."

He says neither Trump, or anyone in his administration wants any further involvement with Musk because of failure to deliver on his DOGE promises.

"You need a formal investigation. You can't go back and forth in blogs or Twitter feeds," Bannon adds.

"This needs to be handled as it would be if anybody else was accused. Anybody in the government – anybody that had a security clearance – would have their security clearance held in advance, it would be pulled until there's a formal investigation.

"I don't believe he should be heading either Starlink or SpaceX right now, with these things hanging over his head."

Additionally, Bannon says Musk should be investigated for links to the Chinese government, and alleged drug use while campaigning and working for Trump.

‘Peacemaker” Trump delivering what supporters want

Jon Sopel describes Bannon as a "controversial and reviled" figure by many on the left of US politics due to his extreme views, but describes the podcaster today as still hugely influential to the MAGA movement in a "grassroots capacity".

"If you want to understand what Donald Trump is doing and why he is doing it, then I'm afraid you do have to listen to what Steve Bannon has to say," he says.

Bannon hasn't worked for Trump since 2017, but remains a firm advocate of the President and his methods, and believes that Musk's allegations about Trump being named in the Epstein Files only made headlines because of the "salacious" nature of the accusation.

Bannon admits that Trump may be named in passing due to the pair’s friendship, but denies any suggestions that he would have been in any illegal sexual activity.

He says Trump’s supporters are backing the President “now more than ever”, claiming he is delivering “exactly what they voted for”.

"Trump is trying to be a peacemaker, whether in the war between Ukraine and Russia, or to make sure that the Chinese Communist Party doesn't attack doesn't attack Taiwan," he says.

"On every aspect President Trump is delivering for his base."

Listen to the latest episode of The News Agents.