Tech billionaire Elon Musk has criticized a faction of President-elect Trump’s supporters, branding them as “contemptible fools,” amidst a growing online discussion about visas for highly skilled workers within right-wing circles. The friction within the Trump camp has escalated this week, with Musk and his partner at the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), Vivek Ramaswamy, finding themselves at odds with the anti-immigration wing of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base.
Renowned “Dilbert” cartoonist Scott Adams waded into the debate on Friday, primarily unfolding on the social media platform X, asserting that “MAGA is adopting a losing strategy from the Democrats while maintaining a sense of self-satisfaction.” Musk, a staunch advocate for foreign-born engineers, concurred with Adams, urging for the removal of what he referred to as “contemptible fools” from the Republican Party.
The tech magnate, who has financially supported Trump’s reelection bid to the tune of at least $250 million, later clarified his stance, specifying that the “contemptible fools” he denounces are those within the Republican Party who espouse hate and unrepentant racism, warning that they pose a significant risk to the party’s future if not ousted.
Ramaswamy sparked controversy on Thursday by suggesting that the dearth of American-born engineers in the job market stems from a culture in the U.S. that has long celebrated mediocrity over excellence. Musk, who has cultivated a closer relationship with Trump throughout the year, stood by Ramaswamy’s remarks.
The debate then turned to the H-1B visa program, a visa category designed for highly skilled professionals that permits tech companies to employ foreign workers in specialized tech and computer roles. Some within the MAGA base argue that the program undermines opportunities for American workers.
Far-right figure Laura Loomer weighed in, criticizing President-elect Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as a White House policy adviser on artificial intelligence. Loomer lambasted Krishnan for advocating changes to immigration policies, particularly his support for removing country-specific caps on green cards and enhancing skilled immigration opportunities.
Loomer also took aim at Musk, accusing him of suppressing her posts on X related to immigration discussions. She rebuked the Tesla CEO, asserting that his recent comments about “contemptible fools” contradict his professed stance as a proponent of free speech absolutism.
“@elonmusk has only recently aligned with the Republican Party, yet now he seems to dictate who is worthy of being a Republican,” Loomer remarked on X. “Elon, you have claimed to uphold free speech absolutism. If that is the case, let’s foster an environment where diverse ideas can flourish, allowing the most compelling notions to prevail. Let’s truly embrace free speech absolutism.”
