Supporters of US President-elect Donald Trump have found themselves at odds with tech figures like Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and their allies, over the contentious issue of immigration. The conflict stems from differing views on how the US should handle immigration, particularly with regard to skilled workers. Musk and his Silicon Valley supporters advocate for merit-based immigration reforms, while Trump’s staunch supporters, who maintain an anti-immigration stance, view Musk’s position as a betrayal of their populist ideals.
The tensions within the MAGA camp surfaced after Trump appointed Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-origin venture capitalist and Musk ally, to lead artificial intelligence policy in the incoming administration. Trump supporters quickly dug up Krishnan’s previous advocacy for removing country caps on green cards for skilled immigrants, sparking a firestorm on social media.
Laura Loomer, a far-right commentator, called Krishnan’s appointment “deeply disturbing,” and her criticism, amplified on Musk’s platform X, set off a public clash between the two factions. Musk, himself an H-1B visa holder, has long championed attracting top global talent to the US, arguing that America’s economic and technological strength relies on its ability to recruit the best minds from around the world. “If you want your TEAM to win the championship, you need to recruit top talent wherever they may be,” Musk posted on X.
Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump’s newly appointed co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, echoed Musk’s views. The son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy criticized US culture for celebrating mediocrity over excellence, posting on X that a culture that honors the prom queen more than the math olympiad champion won’t produce the best engineers.
However, these views have drawn sharp criticism from Trump’s most loyal supporters. Loomer, along with figures like Ann Coulter and former Congressman Matt Gaetz, accused Musk and Ramaswamy of undermining American workers. One viral post on X even labeled Krishnan an “India First” operative intent on replacing American workers.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley also weighed in, arguing that the US should focus on investing in American talent. “There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture,” she posted, challenging Ramaswamy’s criticism of the nation’s values.
Adding to the confusion is Trump’s shifting stance on immigration. While his first administration imposed strict restrictions on H-1B visas, recent comments from Trump suggest a more lenient approach. During a podcast interview earlier this year, Trump expressed support for granting green cards to foreign graduates of US universities, leaving many in his base uncertain about the direction of his future immigration policies.
