Elon Musk Addresses Claims of Suppressing Dissent on X
His comments emerged during a continuing discourse about H-1B visas and foreign workers.
This week, Elon Musk addressed accusations of stifling free speech after stripping several prominent users of their ability to monetize content on the social media platform X.
In recent days, several notable accounts have alleged that Musk removed their verification on X amidst discussions on H-1B visas and foreign workers in the U.S.
Loomer, Wax, and others contended that this action was a reaction to their criticisms of H-1B visas, a U.S. program that permits up to 65,000 highly skilled foreign workers to enter the nation annually, along with 20,000 individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions to occupy specialized roles within the U.S. labor market. Loomer, Wax, and many others have voiced their disapproval of the program, asserting that it disadvantages U.S.-born workers and is misappropriated by tech companies to lower wages.
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Musk, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, who was also selected by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Government Efficiency, faced criticism from some Republicans regarding their views on visa programs and immigration policies.
“The reason I am in America along with numerous key individuals who established SpaceX, Tesla, and countless other companies that strengthened America is due to H1B. Take a step back and [expletive] in the face,” Musk declared in a late December post. “I will fight fiercely on this matter in ways you cannot even imagine.”
Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, expressed on X his concern that U.S. culture has “celebrated mediocrity over excellence.”
“We welcomed the tech bros when they fled to us to escape the 3rd-grade teacher deciding their kid’s gender—and the evident economic downturn under Biden/Harris,” former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) remarked last week in response to Musk and Ramaswamy. “We did not invite them to create an immigration policy.”
In a post, Loomer noted that tech billionaires have converged “upon Palm Beach” where Trump resides following his election victory in November. Two days later, Musk responded, indicating: “Loomer is merely seeking attention. Ignore her.” A few days later, Loomer reported the loss of her access to premium features.
“I haven’t altered my stance. I’ve always believed that we must have the most capable people in our country,” he informed reporters on Tuesday. “We require skilled individuals. We need intelligent people entering our nation. We should welcome many people. We’re going to see job opportunities like never before.”
Musk shifted his perspective on the H-1B visas in a post over the weekend, asserting that the program likely requires significant reform. “I’ve made it clear that the program is flawed and in dire need of overhaul,” he noted at one point.
