Elon Musk’s lightning rise to the heart of the Trumpist bubble does not happen without a rise in tension within it. Initially praised for promoting freedom of expression on X by relaxing its rules, the multi-billionaire entrepreneur now faces detractors who accuse him of “censoring critical voices” for personal gain. Still others believe that the now minister of “governmental efficiency” is betraying Trumpist values in order to use his economic power to promote his interests. Within the extreme fringe of the Republican camp, a group of political and activist figures are now alarmed by the growing influence of Elon Musk on the future president… and on the country’s politics.
Among these personalities, Laura Loomer, a far-right activist formerly a supporter of Elon Musk, whose immigration. “As a loyal supporter of President Trump, I support him enough to sound the alarm about what is becoming a liability,” she declared shortly after in an interview. “You’re not allowed to question Elon, it seems, and the question is: Will Donald Trump intervene before this creates a crisis for his administration?” questioned the activist, in comments reported by the New York Times.
Fundamental tearing around the H-1B visa
Because before playing out on the networks, it is from the question of the H-1B visa that the rift within the political camp arose. While Donald Trump’s policy traditionally goes against any openness to immigration, the president surprised last month by defending, shortly after vehement remarks by his acolyte Elon Musk in favor of the H-1B, this visa allows Silicon Valley in particular to call on foreign talent to fill qualified positions – engineers for example – in the United States.
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A policy poorly received by many early Trumpist figures, such as Laura Loomer, but also by the powerful Steve Banon, former adviser to Donald Trump and influential figure of the American conservative right, who see it as a betrayal of the “Make America” principles. Great Again” by Donald Trump. Elon Musk, in response, defended these visas as essential for companies like Tesla.
As the argument intensified, Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon framed the billionaire’s views on foreign workers as an insult to the Trumpist voter base. They questioned the legitimacy of such financial influence on their party, and stressed “that Mr. Musk was responsible for his commercial interests, in particular Tesla’s links with China”, according to the New York Times. Donald Trump’s biggest contributor, Elon Musk spent more than $250 million to help him win the election. But for those Republican figures, like Steve Bannon, he “became addicted to the adoration that the rallies brought him in the run-up to Election Day.” “Stay in your lane,” Mike Davis, close lawyer of Donald Trump, also suggested at the end of December on X.
Elon Musk accused of censoring his opponents
However, beware of those who publicly oppose the network mogul. Laura Loomer is not the only one to have seen the doors of her favorite platform close. The withdrawal, in recent months, of the certification marks of more than 50 critical accounts has amplified accusations of censorship, details the New York Times.
Some figures, such as the doctor with a large audience Anastasia Maria Loupis, have announced that they are considering legal action against X, after having seen her account downgraded following her opposition to H-1B visas. Founder of the far-right economic association Turning Point USA, young entrepreneur Charlie Kirk has also raised concerns about censorship on the social network, particularly with regard to the temporary suspension of accounts of conservative figures.
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Yet far from American politics, the tenor of the European right, Nigel Farage, leader of the British Reform UK party, recently criticized Elon Musk for his support for controversial figures like the far-right activist Tommy Robinson, convicted at the end of October to 18 months in prison for violating a 2021 court decision which prohibited him from repeating defamatory remarks towards a Syrian refugee.
This divergence led Musk to publicly declare that Nigel Farage should resign as leader of Reform UK, saying he “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the party, and even suggesting Brexit MP Rupert Lowe as a potential successor. A divide that has outraged some conservatives, like Steve Bannon, who continues to defend Farage as an influential populist leader.
