In a recent escalation of the internal Republican Party debate over H-1B visas, tech magnate Elon Musk has called for the expulsion of “hateful, unrepentant racists” from the party.
This statement comes amid rising tensions between Silicon Valley leaders and certain factions of the MAGA movement regarding the employment of highly skilled foreign workers.
The controversy centers on the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American entrepreneur, as a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Krishnan’s selection has drawn criticism from the MAGA movement, notably Laura Loomer, who accused Indian immigrants of “stealing jobs” and labeled them as “third-world invaders.”
Laura Loomer then claimed that she was suspended for 12 hours on X after a heated exchange with the platform’s billionaire owner, Elon Musk
For context, read here:
Musk, a staunch advocate for merit-based immigration, defended Krishnan and condemned the racist rhetoric.
Scott Adams, the creator of the comic strip Dilbert, responded to a statement from Neera Tanden, President Joe Biden’s director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council.
“MAGA is taking a page from Democrats on how to lose elections while feeling good about themselves,” Adams wrote.
Tanden had earlier shared her perspective, saying: “I am an Indian American who was born here and it’s crystal clear that the Democratic Party sees me as American and a large part of the base of the Republican Party does not. I hope Indian Americans remember this moment at the next election. They don’t see you as one of them. And never will. You thought they just hated other immigrants. But it turns out there’s no exception for you. As many of us have been telling you.”
MAGA is taking a page from Democrats on how to lose elections while feeling good about themselves. https://t.co/axJBF4PyZY
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) December 27, 2024
Elon Musk also weighed in, posting: “Yes. And those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party, root and stem.”
Musk clarified his comments, adding, “The “contemptible fools” I’m referring to are those in the Republican Party who are hateful, unrepentant racists. They will absolutely be the downfall of the Republican Party if they are not removed.”
The “contemptible fools” I’m referring to are those in the Republican Party who are hateful, unrepentant racists.
They will absolutely be the downfall of the Republican Party if they are not removed.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024
Musk previously wrote, “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.”
He added, “Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.
Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024
On Saturday, President-elect Donald J. Trump weighed in on the debate over the controversial H-1B visa worker program that has roiled his MAGA supporters this week after comments by Trump allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in support of the foreign worker program.
The debate has caused a fracture in Trump’s 2024 election coalition, with avid Trump supporter Laura Loomer apparently being penalized on the Musk-owned X over her criticism of Musk and immigrant worker visas, and former Trump White House advisor Steve Bannon speaking out against Musk and Ramaswamy.
Trump spoke to New York Post reporter Jon Levine by phone, telling him he supports H-1B (excerpt):
“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said by phone, referring to the H-1B program, which permits companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.
“I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” added Trump, who restricted access to foreign worker visas in his first administration and has been critical of the program in the past.
