President-elect Trump appeared to agree with Elon Musk in support of H-1B visas for skilled workers in the U.S., as the right spars on the ongoing immigration debate.
“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told the New York Post Saturday.
Trump said that he recognizes the visas on his properties, saying, “I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.”
MUSK INFLAMES X WITH PROFANE MOVIE QUOTE IN DEFENSE OF H-1B 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 as the right clashes over immigration and the place of foreign workers in the U.S. labor market.
Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been tapped by Trump to lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), argued earlier this week that American culture has not prioritized education enough, and therefore that foreign workers are needed for tech companies like Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla.Â
Many tech companies have embraced the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, but critics of the program say H-1B holders are often chosen over U.S. citizens for jobs.Â
Conservative pundit Laura Loomer speaks to the media in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
One such critic, Laura Loomer, set off a firestorm on X when criticizing Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian American venture capitalist, to be an adviser on artificial intelligence policy.
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In a post, she said she was concerned that Krishnan, a U.S. citizen, would have an influence on the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
“It’s alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump’s admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump’s America First agenda,” she wrote.
Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk. (Getty Images/AP Images)
Musk has doubled-down on his position, taking to X on Friday to blast a user who showed a video of him discussing SpaceX processes to go after the billionaire’s stance on the visa program. Â
“The reason I’m in America along 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 went on to quote the 2008 action-comedy movie, “Tropic Thunder,” which was a box office hit.Â
“Take a big step back and F— YOURSELF in the face,” Musk railed.Â
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with a NASA spacecraft bound for Jupiter lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Oct. 14, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Ramaswamy has similarly been pro-H-1B visa, writing: “American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump Transition Team for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
