Elon Musk, a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump, is finding himself at odds with right-wing ideologues within the MAGA movement (“Make America Great Again”).
Alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, his future partner in the ambitious task of downsizing U.S. bureaucracy, Musk has voiced support for immigration reforms, particularly the H-1B visa program. This program allows skilled tech workers to live and work legally in the United States.
Trump Stands with Musk Amid Internal MAGA Tensions
Despite announcing plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants at the start of his presidency, Trump has thus far supported Musk’s stance. He described the H-1B visa program as “great” in an interview with the New York Post, a position that has drawn backlash from MAGA hardliners like Steve Bannon.
A Battle Between Nativists and Internationalists
This emerging conflict within the Trump movement pits nativists against internationalists, with Musk’s growing influence emboldening the latter. However, Musk’s assertive approach and his perceived role as a “shadow president” risk overshadowing Trump, which could lead to Musk’s eventual alienation from Trump’s inner circle.
Musk Responds to Right-Wing Criticism
Musk appears to be reacting to the backlash from the right. Reports suggest he has demoted posts by conservative commentators on his platform, X, effectively silencing their voices. This move, seen by critics as digital censorship, could further fuel tensions and escalate the internal power struggle within the Trump movement.
