Trump Backs Elon Musk in Worker Visa Dispute

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Donald Trump weighed in on Saturday in the growing debate between his traditional supporters and tech figures like Elon Musk, voicing his support for a special visa program that allows highly skilled workers to enter the U.S.

In his first public comments on the issue, Trump told the New York Post, “I’ve always liked the H1-B visas, I have always been in favor of the visas, that’s why we have them” at Trump-owned businesses.

The debate, which has escalated into a heated clash between Musk and Trump’s anti-immigration base, began earlier this week. Musk even stated that he would “go to war” over the issue.

Trump’s strong stance on reducing immigration was a key factor in his 2016 election win, and he has since vowed to deport all undocumented immigrants and limit legal immigration. However, tech entrepreneurs like Musk, who migrated to the U.S. from South Africa on an H1-B visa, argue that the country produces too few highly skilled graduates and have been vocal advocates for the program.

Musk, a longtime supporter of the H1-B visa, took to his X platform (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, emphasizing that attracting elite engineering talent from abroad is “essential for America to keep winning.”

The debate grew more contentious after Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and a prominent figure in conservative circles, posted that America’s “culture of mediocrity” could lead to the country being overtaken by China. Ramaswamy, the son of Indian immigrants, expressed concern that the U.S. was not doing enough to foster excellence.

Several prominent Trump supporters took issue with Ramaswamy’s comments, arguing that Trump should prioritize American workers and further restrict immigration. Laura Loomer, a far-right figure known for her conspiracy theories, criticized the alignment between Trump and Silicon Valley, claiming that Trump must “protect himself from the technocrats.”

Musk’s involvement in the debate has stirred tension within the MAGA movement. His online campaign to block a bipartisan budget deal last week had already irked some Republicans. In response to criticism, Musk posted on X, warning of a “MAGA civil war” over the H1-B visa issue and vowed to “go to war” to defend the program.

Trump strategist Steve Bannon, a fierce critic of Musk, hit back, arguing that the H1-B program brings in workers who are treated as “indentured servants” and paid less than American citizens. Bannon also called Musk a “toddler” in a pointed jab at the Tesla CEO.

The conflict has raised concerns among some of Trump’s original supporters, who fear that his ties to big tech donors like Musk might be pulling him away from his core campaign promises. It remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks will help resolve the tensions within his base, but the debate highlights the difficulties Trump will face in navigating immigration policy if he returns to office in 2025.