Staff Reports
Steve Bannon, known for his fiery rhetoric and close ties to Donald Trump, is once again throwing shade at Elon Musk, claiming he’ll make sure Musk is “ejected” from the incoming president-elect’s inner circle. This latest installment of MAGA drama unfolded ahead of Trump’s inauguration, exposing a rift that is as entertaining as it is alarming for those hoping to unite the party.
Bannon has zeroed in on Musk for his support of the H-1B visa program, which gives temporary visas to foreigners in specialized roles. For those who thought all tech moguls were on the same team, this spat suggests otherwise, as Bannon sees Musk’s endorsement of the program as an outright betrayal of American workers. The former chief strategist, ousted in 2017 after a brief tenure, has labeled Musk “truly evil,” asserting that he will go to war to diminish Musk’s influence over the next administration. In Bannon’s world, Musk’s wealth is no shield against such judgment, and he’s willing to bring the fight to the doorstep of the White House.
Seems like Bannon hasn’t exactly moved on. 👀
Bannon: “I will have Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day… He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy.”https://t.co/RsRBSJohNG pic.twitter.com/SvSohrNlYg
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 12, 2025
Musk has donned the title of “First Buddy” in Trump’s orbit, largely due to his spending spree to support the former president’s reelection effort, which totaled over $270 million. While many might celebrate Musk’s contributions as supportive of the MAGA movement, Bannon sees an ulterior motive: cronyism and self-interest. Bannon is making it personal, promising to strip Musk of his access so he can “be like everyone else,” which is the kind of democratic principle that would make any populist’s heart sing—even if it’s coming from a man who once infamously said “drain the swamp.”
The tension reached fever pitch after Musk and other Silicon Valley figures threw their weight behind the H-1B visa initiative. This has left the anti-immigrant faction of Trump’s base in a frenzied whirl, questioning the loyalties of their tech allies. Bannon, ever the loyal advocate for American workers, claims that these visa programs benefit “techno-feudalists” like Musk rather than the average American, fully embracing the mantle of populism. To Bannon, it seems, allowing foreign tech workers into the U.S. amounts to cutting off job opportunities for homegrown talent.
Adding fuel to the fire, Bannon has suggested that tech leaders born in South Africa, like Musk, should pack their bags and head back to their homeland. In a delightful twist, he inquired about the relevance of South Africans commenting on American affairs, calling out their racial history. Unsurprisingly, he argues that Musk and his wealthy pals are simply trying to enrich themselves while disregarding the plight of American workers. He warns that Musk’s ambitions extend to the pursuit of becoming a “trillionaire,” which is a far cry from the modest goals of the average American.
This ongoing saga between Bannon and Musk reveals much more than mere personal rivalries; it highlights a deeper ideological rift within MAGA. With some seeking to foster an inclusive tech landscape that utilizes global talent, and others adamantly pushing for traditional American workplaces, the internal debates will likely shape the future of the movement. If Bannon has his way, the days of Elon Musk as a golden boy in Trump’s circle may come to an abrupt and amusing end.
