Elon Musk Warns US, Claims American Will Cease To Exist If Illegal Immigration Enforcement Gets Defunded

Elon Musk has ignited a fresh political firestorm after warning that the United States would 'cease to exist' if funding for illegal immigration enforcement were cut, a claim that landed amid nationwide protests and mounting scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Posting on his social media platform X, the Tesla and SpaceX chief framed immigration enforcement as an existential issue for America, arguing that defunding ICE would overwhelm public finances and permanently reshape the country.

He argued that a combination of unchecked illegal immigration and government spending would lead to inevitable national bankruptcy.

Musk's remarks arrive at a moment of intense political volatility, as the Trump administration's intensified enforcement operations face a fierce backlash following the fatal shooting of an American citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.

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Elon Musk Warns US Will Cease To Exist

Elon Musk reignited the controversy by reposting an immigration-critical message on X that called for tighter controls and questioned the continued expansion of immigration. The original post was written by Hunter Ash, an X user known for outspoken views on immigration policy.

'Every time an immigrant argues for more immigration, I become more restrictionist... I would support making immigration scepticism a criterion for immigration, if it could be enforced,' said Ash.

By amplifying the post, Musk signalled agreement with the argument that unchecked immigration would reshape the country permanently.

Elon Musk said: 'America is 4% of world population, but illegals can scam money from the government that is higher than 95% of Earth and more than most Americans make!'

'America would be swamped, go bankrupt and then cease to exist at all if illegal immigration enforcement were to be defunded,' further warned the billionaire.

Musk Being Strong Critic of Immigration Policies

Musk has repeatedly positioned himself as a strong critic of current US immigration policies. Back in December 2025, he accused political actors of deliberately exploiting immigration to influence elections and demographics.

'The more you look at it, the more you will be horrified at what your tax money is doing,' Musk stated, referring to government-backed immigration programmes. He pointed to the election of Representative Ilhan Omar in Minnesota as an example of what he described as demographic-driven political change.

Musk claimed the Somali voting bloc played a decisive role in the state, which he said historically had 'zero Somalis.' He also argued that similar trends were not limited to the US.

'The same is happening in Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand,' Musk explained, suggesting a wider pattern across Western democracies.

Musk Comments Amid Criticisms Against ICE

The comments were made as ICE faced mounting scrutiny over its enforcement practices. Tensions rose sharply after a fatal shooting during an immigration operation on 7 January 2026 in south Minneapolis.

ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, during the operation. Good was reportedly supporting neighbours when the encounter occurred. Video footage showed her seated in her SUV, stopped diagonally on a residential street, before the situation escalated.

The shooting triggered protests, memorials and demands for accountability, while federal officials defended the agent's actions as self-defence. Musk's warnings emerged amid this backlash, tying public anger at ICE to what he described as dangerous calls to weaken enforcement.

Over 50% of Americans Against Illegal Immigration Enforcement

Public opposition to ICE methods was reflected in a Quinnipiac University poll conducted between 8 and 12 January 2026. The nationwide survey of around 1,000 registered voters found that 57% disapproved of how ICE enforces immigration laws.

The same poll showed 53% believed the shooting of Good was unjustified, while 35% said it was justified. Political divisions were clear: 77% of Republicans supported the agent's actions, compared with 92% of Democrats and 59% of Independents who opposed them.

Concerns focused on the use of force, the perceived lack of empathy and broader distrust of ICE operations. The findings highlight a deep divide between public sentiment and Musk's warnings about the consequences of defunding US immigration enforcement.

An Existential Debate Intensifies

Musk's intervention highlights how immigration has become one of the most emotionally charged issues in American politics. By framing enforcement funding as a matter of national survival, he has amplified fears on one side while provoking outrage on the other.

As protests continue and investigations into ICE's actions proceed, the clash between public scepticism and hardline warnings from influential figures like Musk shows no sign of easing. The question now confronting policymakers is whether the immigration debate can move beyond existential rhetoric towards solutions that address both border control and public trust.