Trump Supports Elon Musk on High-Tech Worker Visas, Causing Rifts in MAGA Group

President-elect Donald Trump has recently shown support for Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, regarding the issue of H-1B visas.

These visas allow companies to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs in the U.S. Trump’s stance highlights a shift towards supporting influential figures within his MAGA coalition, despite his previous anti-immigrant messages.

This topic has sparked debate within Trump’s support base, showing a clash between his populist promises and the interests of powerful allies in his circle.

After remaining quiet for several days amid the controversy, Trump clarified that he backs Musk’s desire for more flexibility in hiring foreign tech workers.

Musk, known for his wealth and influence in technology, defended the visa program on X, the social media platform he owns. He argued that such workers are crucial for building strong companies in America, like SpaceX and Tesla.

“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,” Musk posted.

The discussion intensified when Vivek Ramaswamy, working with Musk in the government, criticized American culture for not promoting excellence. His comments were seen as looking down on ordinary Americans, stirring more controversy.

On the other hand, Steve Bannon, a former advisor to Trump, attacked the H-1B visa program on his podcast, calling it a scheme by tech elites to replace American jobs with cheaper foreign labor.

The debate over these visas goes beyond just job issues; it also touches on how crucial the tech industry is to areas like national security and artificial intelligence.

While some of Trump’s most dedicated supporters view the support of these visas as going against his America First and anti-immigration stance, others argue that they are necessary to keep America competitive in tech.

As Trump prepares to take office, this visa issue and his alignment with figures like Musk could shape his administration’s actions and its relationships within the MAGA movement.