Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former White House chief strategist, has launched a blistering attack against tech billionaire Elon Musk, vowing to prevent him from gaining close access to the president-elect following his inauguration next week. In a fiery interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Sunday, January 12, Bannon branded Musk as “truly evil” and took aim at his support of the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialized fields.
“I will get Elon Musk kicked out by the time he’s inaugurated. He won’t have a blue pass with full access to the White House.
He’ll be like everyone else,” Bannon declared, in translated remarks. “He’s a truly evil person.
Stopping him has become a personal issue for me. Before, since he’s put in so much money, I was prepared to tolerate it. Not anymore.”
The clash highlights growing tensions within Trump’s inner circle, particularly regarding immigration policy. Musk, who has earned the nickname “First Buddy” for his constant presence around Trump since the November election victory, is slated to head the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency alongside former vice-presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy.
Reports indicate Musk contributed over $270 million to Trump’s reelection campaign, largely through his America PAC. However, his support for H-1B visas has angered the anti-immigration wing of Trump’s base, led by Bannon, who argues these visas deprive American citizens of jobs.
“The problem is that techno-feudalists are using them to their advantage and people are furious,” Bannon said.
He specifically targeted Musk’s own use of the program, noting that the South African-born Tesla CEO once held an H-1B visa himself and employs foreign workers in his companies. In a particularly controversial moment, Bannon extended his criticism to other South African-born tech leaders, including David Sachs and Peter Thiel, questioning their right to comment on U.S. affairs.
“Why do we have white South Africans, the most racist people in the world, commenting on everything that happens in the United States?” he remarked.
