Trump vows to deport Elon Musk, NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani

When Donald Trump, President of the United States hinted at a plan to deport Elon Musk, the South‑African‑born tech billionaire, and Zohran Mamdani, a naturalized citizen vying for New York City mayor, the reaction was immediate and incendiary. Trump made the remarks on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during a briefing that was later reported by Time. The president’s language – "we'll have to take a look" on Musk’s status and "A lot of people are saying he's here illegally" on Mamdani – raised alarms about a possible first‑in‑the‑nation attempt at mass denaturalization for political gain.

Background on the Threats

Elon Musk, born in Pretoria in 1971, became a U.S. citizen in 2002 after moving to California in the late 1990s. His outspoken criticism of the so‑called “Big Beautiful Bill,” a bipartisan infrastructure package passed in 2024, earned him a spot on the president’s radar. Earlier in the day, Trump was asked whether he would consider revoking Musk’s citizenship; his vague answer — "we'll have to take a look" — was enough to send Wall Street buzzing.

Zohran Mamdani’s story is markedly different. Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1992, he arrived in New York at age seven, earned a green card, and became a naturalized citizen in 2018. A rising star in progressive circles, Mamdani won the Democratic primary for the 2025 New York City mayoral race on June 25, defeating a field of establishment candidates. His platform – freeze rent, free fast buses, universal childcare – has energized younger voters but also drawn fierce criticism from some quarters.

On the same day Trump publicly questioned Mamdani’s citizenship, the president also warned that ICE could arrest the candidate if he "interferes" with immigration enforcement. Mamdani replied in a statement dated October 15, 2025, calling the threat "an attempt to silence political dissent" and urging New Yorkers to stand against what he termed "ICE terror."

Legal Context of Denaturalization

Denaturalization is the legal process of revoking citizenship, reverting a person to their prior immigration status – often a lawful permanent resident. The Time article explained that a denaturalized individual is not automatically deported; instead, they become subject to removal proceedings like any other non‑citizen. In Mamdani’s case, that would mean a return to green‑card status, which, while allowing him to stay in the U.S., could be rescinded if a removal order were issued.

Supreme Court precedent, dating back to Afroyim v. Rusk (1967), holds that citizenship cannot be involuntarily stripped without due process. However, recent rulings have shown the Court granting the executive branch considerable leeway in immigration matters. Legal scholars cited by the report argue that the current Court has exhibited "astounding" deference to the Trump administration, making the president’s threat more than mere political theater.

Republican Representative Randy Fine of Florida’s 8th Congressional District amplified the rhetoric, tweeting on October 7, 2025, that Mamdani is "little more than a Muslim terrorist" and should have his citizenship stripped. Fine’s incendiary language, paired with the president’s statements, has reignited a national debate over whether political opposition can ever become grounds for revoking the most fundamental legal status in the country.

Political Reactions Across the Spectrum

Within the Democratic Party, reactions are split. Moderate New York State Democrats caution that Mamdani’s outspoken stance on the Israel‑Gaza war could alienate the city’s large Jewish electorate, potentially jeopardizing the party’s hold on the mayor’s office. Conversely, progressive groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, hail Mamdani’s primary victory as evidence that a left‑wing platform can win back working‑class voters who drifted toward Trump in 2024.

Mayor Eric Adams, who currently leads the city, issued a brief comment on October 14, 2025, saying, "We’ll continue to focus on safety and services, regardless of outside political pressure." Meanwhile, former governor Andrew Cuomo, who is not running for office, declined to comment, reminding reporters that the mayoral race is "about New Yorkers, not Washington theatrics."

On the other side of the aisle, President Trump announced that his administration would withhold federal funds for New York City if Mamdani wins, citing the candidate’s alleged “disloyalty.” The threat targets billions in transportation, housing, and public health grants – a lever that could sway swing voters faced with concrete budget cuts.

Impact on the NYC Mayoral Race

The timing of the president’s statements is uncanny. With the election just three weeks away, Mamdani’s campaign has pivoted to counter‑attack, emphasizing his refusal to be "a mayor like Mayor Eric Adams" or "a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo." During a Fox News interview on October 14, he faced the camera directly, saying, "I will not be a mayor who calls you to figure out how to stay out of jail. I will be a mayor who fights to lower the cost of living."

Polls from the latest Quinnipiac survey (conducted October 10‑12) show Mamdani trailing incumbent Adams by 4 points, but with a 12‑point gap among voters age 18‑34. Analysts argue that the president’s attacks could either galvanize Mamdani’s base or push moderate voters toward Adams, who is already positioned as the safer financial choice.

In the broader context, over 300 protests against “King Trump” erupted on July 4, 2025, spanning all fifty states. Demonstrators in New York City chanted “No to deportation, yes to democracy,” underscoring the national resonance of this local race.

What’s Next: Legal Battles and Federal Funding

Legal experts predict that any attempt by the administration to pursue denaturalization will face immediate injunctions in federal court. The Department of Justice’s Office of Immigration Litigation has already opened a docket for potential challenges, and civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have vowed to file suits on behalf of both Musk and Mamdani.

Meanwhile, the Treasury Department is reportedly reviewing the president’s threat to withhold funds, a move that could be blocked by the Congressional Appropriations Committee. If Congress steps in, the funding freeze may never materialize – but the political calculus has already shifted.

For New Yorkers, the next few weeks will be a crucible: will the city’s electorate vote based on policy solutions or on a broader narrative about who gets to claim American citizenship? The answer will likely shape future debates about the limits of executive power over immigration.

Key Facts

• Citizenship revocation: Trump threatened to strip U.S. citizenship from Elon Musk and Zohran Mamdani.
• Legal precedent: Denaturalization does not automatically equal deportation; it reverts individuals to prior status.
• Political stakes: Mamdani is the Democratic nominee for NYC mayor; election set for November 4, 2025.
• Federal funding threat: Trump vowed to withhold billions in grants if Mamdani wins.
• Public response: Over 300 anti‑Trump protests occurred on July 4, 2025 across all states.