Prominent right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon has vowed to take down billionaire Elon Musk, an ally of Donald Trump, by the president-elect's inauguration next week.
Why It Matters
Steve Bannon, who served as the CEO of Trump’s 2016 campaign and a White House adviser, and Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, are two influential allies of Donald Trump. Musk donated over a quarter-billion dollars to Trump's 2024 campaign and was recently appointed by Trump to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Despite their shared political affiliations, Bannon has long been critical of Musk, particularly for his business ties to China and his support for H-1B visas, a stance Trump has endorsed.
What To Know
In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Wednesday, Bannon declared his intent to “take down” Musk, vowing to “run him out” by Inauguration Day. Bannon accused Musk of being "truly evil" and criticized his influence in Trump’s administration.
Bannon’s comments follow a rift with Musk over H-1B visas. Conservative activist Laura Loomer had criticized Trump’s appointment of Indian-born entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as a senior AI policy adviser, intensifying tensions. Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen from South Africa, has been vocal in defending legal migration, particularly the H-1B program, which allows American companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields like IT and engineering.
In December, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend the program, 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.”
Bannon responded on Gettr, mocking Musk with a post suggesting a "wellness check" on him. Bannon’s criticism extends to Musk’s tech allies, like Peter Thiel, accusing them of exploiting the immigration system to their advantage.
What People Are Saying
Trump expressed support for H-1B visas in late December, telling the New York Post: “I’ve always liked the visas. I’ve used them many times. It’s a great program.”
Mark Shanahan, an expert on American politics at the University of Surrey, noted the conflict reflects deeper divisions within Trump’s camp. “Musk and co. are motivated by wealth, while opponents in the H-1B spat gain power by exploiting immigration debates. These factions will never reconcile, and this week’s social media storm is a harbinger of the chaos that could engulf Trump’s presidency.”
The conservative “End Wokeness” X account warned against alienating Musk, stating: “It would be foolish to alienate Elon. Look how that turned out for the left.”
What Happens Next
The H-1B visa debate will likely dominate early discussions in Trump’s new administration. While Trump has emphasized cracking down on illegal immigration, he has signaled openness to reforms for legal immigration, including granting green cards to advanced-degree holders.
This debate may also shape the Republican Party’s broader immigration policy and could influence Democratic strategies after Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat.
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