Trump sides with Musk as tech billionaire vows to ‘go to war’ to defend H-1B-Telangana Today

Musk, who once held an H-1B visa himself and whose electric vehicle maker Tesla has hired workers through the program, defended the tech industry’s need to hire foreign workers

Washington: Elon Musk has received support from President-elect Donald Trump for his stance on H-1B visas, a day after the tech billionaire vowed to “go to war” to defend the program that brings skilled foreign workers into to be brought to the USA.

Musk, who was tapped by Trump to lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) along with Indian-American tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, argued last week that foreign workers are needed for tech companies like Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla. Musk has a user on Friday

“The reason I am in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that have made America strong is because of H1B,” Musk wrote on X. He also used a profane quote the character of Tom Cruise the film “Tropic Thunder” to attack his critics.

“Take a big step back and fuck yourself in the face,” Musk said. Trump sided with Musk on Saturday, saying he fully supported the program opposed by some of his supporters. “I’ve always liked the visas, I’ve always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told the New York Post newspaper. “I have many H-1B visas for my properties. I believed in H-1B. I have used it many times. “It’s a great program,” Trump said.

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Tech companies rely on hiring tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The tech industry has long called for more H-1B visas to attract highly skilled workers to the United States. Trump’s first administration restricted the program in 2020, arguing that it allowed companies to replace Americans with lower-paid foreign workers.

Musk, who once held an H-1B visa himself and whose electric vehicle maker Tesla has hired workers through the program, defended the tech industry’s need to hire foreign workers. “Everyone – no matter what race, creed or nationality – who came to America and worked like hell to contribute to this country will forever have my respect. America is the land of freedom and opportunity. Fight with every fiber of your being to keep it that way!” he wrote on X on Friday.