Loomer apologizes for doxxing AI adviser Krishnan after Trump backs H-1B visa program

UPDATED: Dec 30, 2024 01:10 IST

The MAGA vs MAGA conflict has paused for now, with far-right activist Laura Loomer apologizing for having publicly shared Indian-American entrepreneur and Trump's nominee for senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence Sriram Krishnan’s personal information. Krishnan is known for his immigration views and stance on H-1B visa policy, which is in direct contrast to Loomer’s.

The apology came after US President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support for the H-1B program in a reversal of his earlier stance.

In an interview with the New York Post on Saturday, Trump praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the US. “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said.

“I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” Trump told the newspaper.

Trump has, in the past, criticized the H-1B visas, calling them “very bad” and “unfair” for US workers. During his first term as President, he unveiled a “Hire American” policy that directed changes to the program to try to ensure the visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants.

Loomer apology

Announcing the apology on social media platform X, Loomer wrote: "I deeply apologize for accidentally doxxing Sriram @sriramk by sharing public FEC records with his personal info. It was an honest mistake, and I take full responsibility. I've removed the post and I promise that I will be more careful in the future when I post FEC records.

“I was posting FEC records which are public information. I was not trying to inflict harm on anyone, & if @sriramk felt as though I was trying to “doxx” him, I sincerely apologize for that. I promise I wasn’t doxxing & I believe more speech is the answer. Not less. @elonmusk," she said in another X post.

Loomer has openly criticized Krishnan's appointment as AI advisor.

In a recent post on X, Loomer accused Krishnan of disloyalty to Trump, claiming that he donated to Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign and didn’t vote for Trump in 2024. "Hey Sriram Krishnan, what is this? Why did you donate to Kamala Harris's presidential campaign less than one month before the 2024 Presidential election? You didn’t even vote for Trump... Now you want to infiltrate his admin?" Loomer's tweet said, sparking intense debate online. Her post accusing Krishnan of betrayal triggered widespread reactions from social media users, many questioning Krishnan’s loyalty to Trump. Some even called for his removal as Trump’s AI advisor.

Controversy over H-1B program

The controversy erupted after Laura Loomer, a staunch immigration critic, lashed out at Trump’s decision to appoint Indian-origin tech executive Sriram Krishnan as his artificial intelligence advisor.

Loomer called the move “not America First policy,” drawing support from some conservative Republicans, including former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

Musk and his ally, Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have defended the tech industry’s reliance on H-1B workers.

“American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence,” Ramaswamy wrote on X. “If we pretend like ‘normalcy’ cuts it, we’ll have our asses handed to us by China.”

The exchange highlighted a broader division within the Republican Party. Musk called out "hateful racists", warned of a “MAGA civil war”, and aggressively responded to H1-B critics online.

“I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” the billionaire tweeted.