MAGA world is not happy about this major issue.
Laura Loomer, a prominent conservative activist, has accused Elon Musk of engaging in “full censorship” after her premium account on X (formerly Twitter) was deactivated. Loomer argues that this move was in retaliation for her outspoken opposition to H-1B visas, a policy supported by Musk, which she believes undermines American workers. The controversy has intensified the already heated debate within conservative circles over the H-1B visa program, placing former President Donald Trump in a precarious position as he faces pressure from both sides of his base.
H-1B visas allow U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles that require advanced education or experience. Musk, a vocal advocate for high-skilled immigration, argues that these workers are essential to the success of American businesses, especially in fields like technology and engineering, where a shortage of qualified domestic talent exists. Musk’s stance on immigration has received support from figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, who, alongside Musk, will lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. Other tech executives, including David Sacks, Trump’s appointed AI and crypto czar, have also pushed for policies that prioritize skilled immigration, suggesting that the focus should remain on combating illegal immigration rather than restricting legal work visas.
However, many in the MAGA movement, including figures like Steve Bannon, have strongly criticized Musk’s position. Bannon has accused Musk of revealing his “true colors,” claiming that his support for H-1B visas betrays the interests of American workers. Loomer’s conflict with Musk escalated after Trump appointed venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as a senior adviser for artificial intelligence. Krishnan is known for advocating the removal of country caps for H-1B visas and prioritizing applicants based on merit, a proposal that Loomer fiercely opposes. Loomer’s inflammatory rhetoric, which included referring to migrants from South Asia as “third-world invaders,” led to accusations of racism and a backlash from her critics.
In response to Loomer’s accusations, Musk defended the value of high-skilled immigration by sharing stories of foreign-born talent, including a Turkish mathematician whose contributions to 5G technology were later exploited by Chinese firms after he was forced to leave the U.S. due to visa issues. Musk has also pointed to comments from Trump, who has expressed support for offering green cards to foreign graduates of American universities to prevent them from taking their skills abroad.
Loomer, frustrated with Musk’s position, expressed her discontent on X, declaring that many loyal MAGA supporters are fed up with Big Tech’s elitist attitudes and “fake love fests” at events like Mar-a-Lago. “The Big Tech sleepovers will be over soon,” Loomer stated, vowing to continue opposing what she perceives as an anti-American immigration policy.
Musk responded by reiterating his support for increasing legal immigration, stating that it is the “right position for those who want America to win.” Meanwhile, Steve Bannon shared an article that criticized Musk for defending an X engineer who had posted racist and anti-white comments, calling it “pure raw hatred.” The ongoing battle over H-1B visas has exposed a deep divide within the conservative movement, with key figures like Musk and Trump aligning with the interests of the tech industry, while others, like Loomer and Bannon, fight to preserve American workers’ rights and push back against what they see as unchecked foreign competition.