President-elect Trump appears to agree with Elon Musk in favor of H-1B visas for skilled workers in the United States, as the right weighs in on the ongoing immigration debate.
“I have always liked visas, I have always been in favor of visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told the New York Post on Saturday.
Trump said he recognized visas on his properties, saying, “I believe in the H-1B. I have used it several times. It’s an excellent program.
MUSK IGNITES X WITH PROFAN FILM QUOTE IN DEFENSE OF H1-B VISA
President-elect Donald Trump smiles during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center Dec. 22 in Phoenix. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Trump’s comments come amid clashes on the right over immigration and the place of foreign workers in the U.S. job market.
Musc et Vivek Ramaswamy, who were chosen by Trump to lead his Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE), argued earlier this week that American culture has not prioritized education enough and, as a result, businesses Tech companies like SpaceX and Musk’s Tesla need foreign workers.
Many technology companies have adopted the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in skilled trades, but critics of the program say H-1B visa holders are often chosen over American citizens for jobs.
Conservative pundit Laura Loomer speaks to media in New York. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
One of those critics, Laura Loomer, ignited a firestorm on
MUSK AND RAMASWAMY START MAGA WAR AGAINST SKILLED IMMIGRATION AND AMERICAN “MEDIOCRITY”
In one post, she said she was concerned that Krishnan, a U.S. citizen, would have influence over the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
“It is alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being nominated to serve in the Trump administration while sharing views that are directly opposed to Trump’s America First agenda,” she wrote.
Vivek Ramaswamy et Elon Musk. (Getty Images/AP Images)
Musk doubled down on his stance, taking to X on Friday to blast a user who showed a video of him discussing SpaceX’s processes for attacking the billionaire’s stance on the visa program.
“The reason I’m in America with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,” Musk wrote on X.
He then cited the 2008 report action comedy film, “Tropic Thunder,” which was a box office success.
“Take a big step back and F— YOURSELF in your face,” Musk railed.
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with a NASA spacecraft bound for Jupiter lifts off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center October 14 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo AP/John Raoux)
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Ramaswamy was also pro-H-1B visa, writing: “American culture has revered mediocrity over excellence. »
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.
Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news editor for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
Tips and story ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on X: @s_rumpfwhiteten.
