MAGA Divided: Elon Musk vs Trump Supporters on Indian Immigration Debate

Supporters of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have clashed with tech moguls Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and their Silicon Valley allies over the polarizing issue of immigration. Musk and his allies advocate for merit-based immigration reforms, while staunch Trump supporters maintain an anti-immigration stance, viewing Musk's position as a betrayal of their populist ideals.

Tensions within the MAGA camp grew after the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-origin venture capitalist and Musk ally, to lead artificial intelligence policy in the incoming Trump administration. Krishnan's past advocacy for removing country caps on green cards for skilled immigrants was reignited by Trump supporters, sparking a social media firestorm.

Far-right commentator Laura Loomer called Krishnan's appointment "deeply disturbing," with her criticism gaining traction on Musk’s social media platform X, leading to an intense confrontation between the two factions.

Musk, who himself immigrated to the U.S. on an H-1B visa, has consistently supported attracting top global talent, arguing that America's technological and economic success depends on recruiting the best minds worldwide. "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, newly appointed co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, echoed Musk's sentiments. As the son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy criticized U.S. culture for valuing mediocrity over excellence, asserting that the country’s workforce should embrace talent from all over the world.

However, these views have triggered backlash from Trump’s most loyal supporters, including Loomer, Ann Coulter, and former Congressman Matt Gaetz. They accuse Musk and Ramaswamy of undermining American workers, with one viral post calling Krishnan an "India First" operative seeking to "replace American workers."

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley also weighed in, arguing that the U.S. should prioritize investing in American talent. "There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture," she posted, challenging Ramaswamy’s criticism.

Adding to the confusion, Trump’s stance on immigration has fluctuated. While his first administration imposed stringent restrictions on H-1B visas, he recently expressed support for granting green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities, leaving many of his supporters uncertain about the future direction of his immigration policies.