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Trump Backs H-1B Visas, Siding with Elon Musk in Growing Intra-MAGA Divide on Immigration Policy
Edited by: Fern Sidman
President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the H-1B visa program, aligning himself with tech billionaire Elon Musk amid an intensifying internal debate within the MAGA movement over immigration policy. In an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, Trump stated his long-standing approval of the program, positioning himself against hardline voices in his political base who advocate for tighter immigration restrictions.
During a phone interview with The New York Post, Trump expressed clear support for the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering, and science. “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said.
He further elaborated on his experience using the program within his own business ventures: “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.”
These comments stand in contrast to Trump’s first term in office, where his administration imposed restrictions on the H-1B program, arguing that it displaced American workers. His endorsement marks a notable shift, signaling alignment with Elon Musk and other tech leaders who see the H-1B visa system as essential to keeping the U.S. tech industry competitive on a global scale, as reported by The New York Post.
The debate escalated earlier this week when Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, publicly clashed with critics over the H-1B program. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Musk engaged in a heated exchange on his platform X (formerly Twitter), defending the visa program as vital for American innovation.
When user Steven Mackey sarcastically called for optimizing H-1B visas, mocking one of Musk’s frequent mantras—“Stop trying to optimize something that shouldn’t exist”—Musk responded with an uncharacteristically aggressive retort: “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 H-1B.”
Musk escalated further, paraphrasing a line from the film Tropic Thunder: “Take a big step back and F–K YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
As The New York Post report highlighted, Musk’s emotional defense calls attention to the depth of his conviction regarding the H-1B program. For Musk, these visas aren’t just a policy issue—they are foundational to the success of companies such as SpaceX and Tesla, and by extension, to America’s global leadership in technology and innovation.
While Trump and Musk have found common ground, their stance has sparked backlash among MAGA hardliners who view the H-1B program as a threat to American jobs. Influential figures such as Laura Loomer and Ann Coulter have long criticized the visa program, alleging widespread abuse by corporations and calling for severe restrictions.
Former White House Counselor Steve Bannon also joined the fray, taking a swipe at Musk on Gettr: “Someone please notify ‘Child Protective Services’— need to do a ‘wellness check’ on this toddler.”
As reported by The New York Post, these attacks signal a growing divide within Trump’s support base, with some demanding stricter immigration policies while others recognize the economic and technological benefits of skilled foreign labor.
Entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is expected to lead the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump’s incoming administration, sided with Musk. According to The New York Post, Ramaswamy framed the issue as a reflection of America’s shifting cultural values. “American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence.”
Ramaswamy echoed Musk’s belief that the H-1B program helps attract the top 0.1% of global engineering talent, which is critical for maintaining America’s competitive edge in technology and innovation.
At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental question: Can the U.S. strike a balance between protecting domestic employment opportunities and attracting the world’s top talent?
As The New York Post report explained, Musk and his allies argue that the H-1B visa program fills critical gaps in the U.S. workforce, particularly in STEM fields where skilled labor is often scarce. Opponents, however, claim that large tech companies exploit the system to hire cheaper foreign labor at the expense of American workers.
Trump’s renewed support for the program suggests he may be pivoting towards a more moderate stance on skilled immigration, aligning himself with the economic arguments championed by Musk rather than the more hardline, nationalist views of his base.
Trump’s comments to The New York Post also suggest that his administration might approach the H-1B visa program with a more nuanced perspective in his second term. However, the ongoing divide among his supporters indicates that the issue is far from settled.
With Trump now signaling support for the program, and Musk vowing to wage “war” on its critics, the issue promises to remain a flashpoint as the incoming administration shapes its immigration agenda.
For now, one thing is clear: the H-1B visa program is no longer just a policy detail—it’s a defining battleground in the future of American innovation and economic strategy.
