President-elect Donald Trump's allies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, are facing criticism from within the pro-Trump base after defending the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers. This debate highlights a growing ideological rift within Trump's supporters regarding immigration and the tech industry.
Musk and Ramaswamy, who are slated to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, have publicly voiced their support for the program. Ramaswamy attributed the perceived shortage of domestic talent to cultural values, suggesting that the U.S. prioritizes athletics and social popularity over academic excellence in his social media post. Similarly, Musk emphasized the critical need for skilled engineers in Silicon Valley, arguing that global talent acquisition is essential for success.
These comments sparked immediate backlash from pro-Trump social media users, many of whom champion stricter immigration policies and advocate for prioritizing American workers. The online debate has revealed tensions between the tech sector, represented by Musk and Ramaswamy, and Trump's traditional base.
Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon has escalated the conflict, publicly mocking Musk and accusing him of "destroying the spirit of American citizens" while promoting the visa program on social media platform Gettr. This public rift underscores the deep divisions emerging within the President-elect's coalition, revealing potential challenges as he prepares to take office.
The disagreement extends beyond social media, with reports of some conservative activists losing their verification badges on Musk's social media platform, X, after criticizing his stance. This development further underscores the volatile climate surrounding this issue within Trump’s circle.
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In other news, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Congress that the US will need to take "extraordinary measures" to avoid hitting the debt ceiling. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump is claiming victory after a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to release records related to border wall construction materials. Additionally, Trump has requested the Supreme Court to block a ban on TikTok if its Chinese parent company does not sell by the imposed deadline.
