Elon Musk, the influential CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, reportedly worked in the US without proper authorization in 1995 after leaving a graduate program at Stanford University, according to a Washington Post exposé. The revelation draws attention as Musk publicly supports anti-immigration policies and has backed Donald Trump’s second presidential bid, opposing what he calls “open borders” on his social platform X.
The “Legal Grey Area” of Musk’s Early Career
Though Musk has described his early transition from student to entrepreneur as a “legal grey area,” legal experts confirm that foreign students are prohibited from leaving school to work on a company—even if they aren’t drawing a salary. According to former immigration litigator Leon Fresco, “Any work facilitating revenue creation is prohibited without authorization.” Prior to 9/11, however, student visa regulations were reportedly less stringent.
Musk’s Shift in Public Messaging
A recent Bloomberg analysis of over 53,000 posts on Musk’s X account showed his increasing focus on immigration and election topics in 2024. With more than 1,300 immigration-related posts this year alone, Musk has become one of X’s most visible influencers, often promoting the themes of border security and voter integrity, garnering nearly 10 billion views on these issues.
From “Pro-Immigrant” to Border “Zombie Apocalypse” Comparisons
Though Musk, an immigrant himself, has previously stated he is “extremely pro-immigrant,” he has recently described the U.S.-Mexico border situation as resembling a “zombie apocalypse.” His evolving stance comes as Trump promotes a role for Musk in a potential second term, highlighting his impact on government efficiency.
