9 hours ago
Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 23:19 IST
Donald Trump could potentially designate X a national security risk and ban it through executive authority, an expert said.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump
As the fallout between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk deepens, a tech expert suggested that the White House could consider invoking national security powers to act against Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Devan Leos, a tech entrepreneur and AI expert, told the New York Post that if tensions continue to rise, Donald Trump could potentially designate X a national security risk and ban it through executive authority.
Can Donald Trump Ban X In US?
“The President possesses executive authority to declare X a national security risk, which would permit him to ban the platform outright," Devan Leos said.
Devan Leos also warned that any retaliatory move by Elon Musk could invite further escalation.
“That would almost certainly trigger an executive response from the White House," he said. He added that past remarks by Elon Musk, particularly any reference to classified or sensitive information, could be used as legal grounds for action under national security provisions.
Read more: Donald Trump Says Relationship With Elon Musk Over: ‘He’ll Pay The Consequences If…’
Donald Trump has historically leaned on executive powers, including those derived from emergency statutes. An Associated Press analysis found that 30 of his 150 executive orders during his first term invoked some form of emergency authority- much more than recent presidents.
What Donald Trump Said On Elon Musk
Donald Trump warned of “serious consequences" if Elon Musk follows through on threats to fund Democratic challengers as he made it clear that his relationship with Elon Musk is effectively over, following a series of public exchanges between the two.
In an interview with NBC News, Donald Trump said he has no interest in reconciling with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, accusing Elon Musk of being “disrespectful to the office of the President." Donald Trump also dismissed Elon Musk’s recent online criticism, including now-deleted posts linking the US President to Jeffrey Epstein, calling it “old news."
When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"
When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world Could Donald Trump Ban Elon Musk's X In US Amid Escalating Feud?
