Key Takeaways

• Steve Bannon restarted his fight with Elon Musk over the H-1B visa.
• Bannon urged that Musk be sent back to South Africa.
• President Trump signed an order adding a $100,000 fee per H-1B visa hire.
• The fee hike could slow down companies’ use of H-1B visa workers.
• Tesla and other Musk firms hired hundreds of H-1B visa employees last year.

Steve Bannon Targets Elon Musk Over H-1B Visa

Steve Bannon started shouting at Elon Musk again this past Saturday. On his podcast “War Room,” Bannon said Musk should be deported. He wants the billionaire sent back to South Africa. His reason? Musk arrived in the United States on an H-1B visa. In Bannon’s view, that visa is a scandal.

Bannon said H-1B visas are a form of “indentured servitude.” He argued that foreign workers get trapped in U.S. jobs without real freedom. He also claimed Musk used a visa “scam.” Bannon even repeated a plan to toss out another public figure, Representative Ilhan Omar. He backed calls to deport Omar, though she is a U.S. citizen.

For Bannon, the feud goes back months. Early this year, the two sparred at a Mar-a-Lago event. Bannon squared off with tech advocates like Vivek Ramaswamy. Then he labeled Musk “Elmo” and hammered him over immigration. Musk fired back online, calling H-1B visas vital to America’s tech growth. He vowed to “go to war on this issue.”

Trump’s Fee Hike on H-1B Visa Shakes Companies

Recently, President Trump signed a new executive order. Now, companies must pay $100,000 each year for every new H-1B visa hire. The plan stunned many businesses. Tech firms have long leaned on foreign talent to fill jobs at lower pay. That reliance could now come with a huge price tag.

The White House says the fee will protect American workers. The argument is that U.S. employees might get more chances at these jobs. However, tech leaders warn of higher costs and slower hiring. They also say the move could push talented engineers overseas. In turn, that might hurt innovation and growth.

Old Feud Resurfaces

This whole drama began late last year. Bannon first urged officials to check Musk’s visa history. He even claimed Musk might have used illegal drugs. Musk hit back, defending the H-1B visa program. As a proud immigrant, he said the system helped him succeed.

Then, over the summer, Bannon doubled down. He said Musk should answer questions about his status. He also mocked Tesla’s reliance on foreign hires. In 2023 alone, Tesla brought in 724 H-1B visa workers. That made Tesla one of the top users of the program.

Now, with Trump’s fee hike in place, Bannon feels he scored a win. On his show, he gloated that Musk was “bleeding out.” He said this was the hill Musk would die on. Bannon believes the extra fees will force companies to think twice about hiring through the H-1B visa.

Musk’s H-1B Visa Record

Elon Musk knows this issue well. He entered the U.S. on a similar work visa when he was young. Later, he became a citizen and built companies like SpaceX and Tesla. Yet he still supports the H-1B visa program today. His firms rely on skilled engineers and designers from around the world.

In March, Musk posted that U.S. borders should stay open to top talent. He argued that foreign degree holders help the country innovate. Many tech leaders agree, saying the H-1B visa brings critical skills. They warn that higher fees could shrink the available talent pool.

On the other side, critics say the program undercuts American workers. They claim some companies prefer cheaper foreign labor over local talent. Bannon’s view is that this hurts U.S. families. He wants a complete end to the H-1B visa. Musk and others want reform, not removal.

What Comes Next

With the fee hike now law, companies must adapt. Some may cut back on foreign hires. Others might boost salaries for domestic employees. Lawmakers are already talking about tweaks. Some want to increase the annual visa cap. Others support even higher fees.

Meanwhile, Bannon will likely keep attacking Musk. He sees this as part of a larger fight over immigration. And Musk will keep defending the H-1B visa. He calls it essential for U.S. tech leadership.

At the heart is a clash of visions. One side treats the H-1B visa as a lifeline for top talent. The other sees it as a tool that harms American workers. Now, millions of H-1B visa holders and thousands of companies watch closely. The battle over fees, jobs, and borders is far from over.

FAQs

Why did Steve Bannon target Elon Musk over the H-1B visa?

Steve Bannon believes the H-1B visa is unfair to American workers. He argues Musk used a visa “scam” and wants him sent back to South Africa.

What does Trump’s new executive order do to the H-1B visa?

The executive order imposes a $100,000 annual fee for each new H-1B visa hire. The goal is to encourage companies to hire U.S. workers instead.

How many H-1B visa workers did Tesla hire in 2023?

Tesla brought in 724 employees through the H-1B visa program in 2023, making it one of the top users.

Could the fee hike end the H-1B visa program?

Not entirely. The fee hike may reduce new H-1B visa hires and spark calls for broader changes, but it does not abolish the program.