Author Stephen King has shared his perspective on billionaire Elon Musk's immigration views, particularly concerning H-1B visas. These visas enable American employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations. King voiced his opinion on the social media platform Bluesky on Wednesday.
King, known for his fiction and outspoken political commentary, frequently critiques political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump. His latest post comes as Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, allies of Trump and newly appointed leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expressed support for H-1B visas, sparking backlash from some Trump supporters.
Musk, a South African naturalized U.S. citizen and Trump financial backer, has drawn criticism from MAGA supporters for his stance on H-1B visas. Critics have also raised concerns about his history of promoting conspiracy theories and his views on undocumented immigration.
In his Bluesky post, King wrote, “Musk thinks it’s okay for ‘smart’ immigrants to hang around. The rest of you guys who wash dishes, drive trucks, cook meals...just get lost.” The post quickly gained traction, garnering over 6,100 likes and 660 reposts.
The H-1B visa debate intensified after conservative activist Laura Loomer criticized Trump’s appointment of Indian-born entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as senior policy adviser on artificial intelligence (AI). Loomer argued that Krishnan’s support for expanding H-1B visas conflicted with Trump’s agenda.
Musk defended legal immigration on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and other companies is because of H-1B. Take a big step back and F*** YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk, whose companies rely heavily on H-1B workers, has personally benefited from the program, transitioning to the U.S. via a J-1 academic visa and later an H-1B visa.
Trump himself has expressed support for H-1B visas. In a recent interview with the New York Post, he said, “I’ve always liked the visas. I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. It’s a great program.”
Kevin Lynn, executive director of The Institute for Sound Public Policy, suggested Musk’s influence over H-1B policy could alienate Trump’s base. “This political maneuver could tarnish Trump’s legacy and alienate his base, which may view his stance as a betrayal,” Lynn said.
Senator Bernie Sanders also criticized Musk’s position, stating, “The main function of the H-1B visa program is not to hire ‘the best and the brightest,’ but to replace good-paying American jobs with low-wage workers from abroad.”
Erin B. Corcoran, an associate teaching professor at the University of Notre Dame, noted that the incoming administration’s comments on tightening visa programs have caused significant concern among international students and faculty.
As Trump prepares to take office, the debate over H-1B visas and broader immigration reform remains a priority. While Trump has focused heavily on illegal immigration, he has also suggested pathways to green cards for students graduating from U.S. colleges, stating, “You graduate from a college, I think you should get, as part of your diploma, a green card.”
This debate will likely influence both Republican and Democratic approaches to immigration policy, particularly after Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat in the recent election.
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