President-elect Donald Trump aligned himself with tech leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy amid a dispute concerning a visa program to attract skilled workers to the United States.
In an interview with the New York Post on Saturday, Trump expressed his longstanding appreciation for H-1B visas, noting that he has employed guest workers through the program despite having previously criticized it.
He was entering a contentious debate that had divided his advisors from the technology sector and Republicans advocating for a stricter stance on immigration in all its forms.
A heated debate ensued following Ramaswamy’s remarks. He, along with Trump and Musk, was tasked with reducing government expenditures. He attributed US companies’ decision to recruit skilled labor from abroad to issues within American culture.
In a lengthy post on X, Ramaswamy contended that American culture has placed a higher value on mediocrity than excellence while asserting that foreign workers contribute positively to the US economy.
“A society that prioritizes the prom queen over the math olympiad champion, or the athlete over the valedictorian, is unlikely to cultivate the finest engineers,” he stated.
The Post drew criticism from anti-immigrant supporters of Trump, prompting Ramaswamy to clarify his stance later, stating that he believes “the H-1B system is badly broken & should be replaced”.
Following days of heated debate on social media, Trump told the Post, “I’ve always liked the visas; I have always been in favour of the visas.” The rationale behind their presence is clear.
“I possess numerous H-1B visas associated with my properties.” I have consistently supported the H-1B visa program. The product has been utilized on numerous occasions. “It’s a great program,” he stated.
During his first term, Trump limited access to the H-1B program.
The president-elect and his running mate, JD Vance, have expressed criticism regarding visas in the past. However, Vance’s connections to the tech industry are notable. He previously worked as a venture capitalist, funding start-ups that employed individuals with H-1B visas.
Ramaswamy’s claims sparked a heated debate online during the holiday season, drawing criticism from both mainstream Republicans and far-right influencers directed at him and other affluent members of Trump’s inner circle.
“If we are going to have a throwdown, let’s have it now,” stated prominent Trump supporter Steve Bannon during his War Room podcast on Friday. He described the Republican assertions regarding their backing of the H-1B program as a “total scam.”
Ramaswamy’s stance on skilled worker visas received support from Elon Musk, the CEO of X, Tesla, and SpaceX. Musk has been appointed to co-direct Trump’s proposed “Department of Government Efficiency.”
Musk has defended the H-1B visa program, asserting that it attracts the “top ~0.1%” of engineering talent.
He articulated that viewing America as a professional sports team that has enjoyed a prolonged winning streak and is eager to maintain that success is an appropriate mindset.
Online critics have shared screenshots of job postings at Musk’s companies, revealing that individuals with H1-B visas were offered salaries ranging from $200,000 to lower significantly. They contend that these hires do not represent an elite talent pool but instead serve to suppress the wages of American workers.
Musk responded sharply to what he termed “contemptible fools,” clarifying that his remarks were directed at “those in the Republican Party who are hateful, unrepentant racists.”
“Their presence will undoubtedly lead to the demise of the Republican Party if they are not eliminated,” he stated.
He subsequently directed an expletive at one of his detractors, asserting that he would “go to war” to protect the visa program.
Nikki Haley, who previously served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations and ran for the Republican presidential nomination, has emerged as a significant critic of both Ramaswamy and Musk.
In a recent post on X, she asserted, “There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture.” Observing the border reveals many individuals seeking the opportunities and resources available here. Investment and prioritization should focus on Americans rather than foreign workers.
Haley, sharing a background with Ramaswamy as the child of Indian immigrants, found herself aligned with far-right voices online in her opposition to the visa program.
Laura Loomer, a prominent figure in the anti-Islam movement and a vocal supporter of Trump, has taken to social media to amplify her views, resulting in posts that have garnered millions of views.
Earlier this week, Loomer criticised Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an entrepreneur from India, as the White House senior advisor on artificial intelligence. Loomer characterized Krishnan as a “career leftist” who stands “in direct opposition to Trump’s America First agenda”.
Encouraged by far-right X accounts, she referred to Indian immigrants as “invaders” and employed racist stereotypes against Krishnan.
Loomer has accused Musk, the owner of X, of engaging in “censorship” by purportedly limiting replies to her posts on the platform and excluding her from a paid premium program.
Reflecting on ongoing criticisms aimed at Trump regarding the sway of the X chief, she remarked, “‘President Musk’ is starting to look real… Many argue that the concept of free speech is merely a facade.
On Friday and Saturday, several conservative and far-right accounts voiced their concerns regarding the perceived throttling of their message reach on X.
The annual issuance of H-1B visas is limited to 65,000, with an extra allocation of 20,000 reserved for individuals holding a master’s degree from US institutions.
Recent findings from Boundless, an immigration consultancy, reveal that approximately 73% of H-1B visas are granted to Indian nationals, while 12% are allocated to Chinese citizens.
Upon assuming office, Trump vowed to initiate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants without delay.
In the past few days, the president-elect has refuted claims suggesting that he is excessively influenced by Musk and the other billionaires who supported his campaign.
During a conservative conference in Arizona on Sunday, Trump asserted that he was not under Musk’s influence.
“They are pursuing a new initiative,” he informed the audience at AmericaFest, an event organized by Turning Point USA. “A myriad of hoaxes.” In a surprising turn of events, President Trump has officially transferred the presidency to Elon Musk.
“Not,” he stated firmly. “He is unlikely to become president.”
