'F**k Yourself': Elon Musk's Response To MAGA Supporter In Heated H-1B/Immigration Debate

Last Updated:December 28, 2024, 22:32 IST

Elon Musk gave a fierce reply to a MAGA supporter who attempted to use his own words to justify the removal of the H-1B visa, through which US companies hire workforce from countries like India.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk | File Image

As Americans continue to debate over the H-1B visa policy, tech billionaire Elon Musk gave a fiercely-worded reply to an alleged Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump over the flaming-hot issue in the country right now.

In the last few days, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have come under increasing fire for advocating merit-based immigration reforms for employment in big tech companies, which has been rejected by MAGA supporters as they remain committed to an anti-immigration stance and have complained that there are few job opportunities available for Americans due to the H-1B visa policy.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China

This argument was fuelled by high-profile Republicans including Laura Loomer, Ann Coulter and former Congressman Matt Gaetz, leading to increasing racist rhetoric against Indian-Americans who have made it big in top-tier companies like Google, X, Apple and SpaceX. However, a significant number of social media users have come out in support of Indians and defended the immigration policies.

Why Did Elon Musk Use The F-Word?

Elon Musk’s unusual usage of the F-word came in response to a user’s comment on the H-1B Visa policy. Stephen Mackey, an alleged Trump supporter, shared a clip of Elon Musk, where he discussed the aspects of engineering, advising that people need to “stop trying to optimise something that does not exist."

However, the user tried to use Musk’s words into the context of the debate around the H-1B visa, commenting “Let’s optimise H-1B", which invited a flaming response from the billionaire.

“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. Take a big step back and F**K YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend," Musk wrote.

Responding to Musk’s fierce reply, Mackey tried to pacify the situation by saying, “I personally am fine with reforming H1B, and as I’ve stated multiple times today, I am incredibly grateful you and many others are in the country because of H1B. I do however think it’s appropriate to be critical of a program that is so obviously filled with abuse."

Prior to this, Elon Musk wrote on his handle that anyone of any race, creed and nationality who came to America and “worked like hell" to contribute to the country “will forever have my respect". He also advocated for “hateful, unrepentant racists" to be removed from the Republican Party.

What Is The Controversy?

The row began after the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-origin venture capitalist, to lead artificial intelligence policy in the incoming Donald Trump administration. Sriram Krishnan supported the removal of country caps on green cards for skilled immigrants in the United States in earlier comments.

Laura Loomer, a far-right social media commentator, labelled Sriram Krishnan’s appointment as “deeply disturbing" which led to a social media firestorm between Donald Trump supporters and those calling for a fair system for immigration.

Elon Musk, who immigrated to the United States on an H-1B visa himself, said that the country must attract top global talent in order to maintain its technological and economic dominance. Ramaswamy has also said that legal immigration is necessary for the growth of America.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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