President Joe Biden has called out Tesla CEO Elon Musk for “immigration hypocrisy” after a report claimed that Musk may have worked illegally in the U.S. during his early career. This criticism came after The Washington Post reported that Musk, originally from South Africa, might not have had the proper authorization to work in the United States at the time.
“That wealthiest man in the world became an illegal worker here. No, I’m serious. He was supposed to be in school when he came on a student visa. He wasn’t in school. He was violating the law. And he’s talking about all these illegals coming our way?” Biden said while campaigning on Saturday in Pittsburgh at a union hall.
According to the report, Musk came to California in 1995 on a student visa, intending to start a graduate program at Stanford University. However, instead of enrolling in classes, he focused on launching his first company, Zip2. The report mentioned that investors in Zip2 were worried about Musk’s visa status and even set a deadline for him to obtain a proper work visa to avoid deportation concerns.
Musk responded to Biden’s comments on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I was in fact allowed to work in the U.S.” He also fired back at Biden, calling him a “puppet” and accusing him of lying about the situation.
The Washington Post also referenced an email Musk allegedly sent in 2005, admitting he hadn’t initially been authorized to work in the U.S. This email reportedly came up as evidence in a past court case, indicating Musk’s student visa may have been more of a means to stay in the country while he got Zip2 off the ground.
Musk, who is now one of the wealthiest people in the world, is known for his political support of Republican candidates. This year, he’s donated more than $70 million to support Donald Trump and other GOP figures in the upcoming elections, making him a key GOP donor. Biden’s remarks have stirred conversation, with some people questioning Musk’s stance on immigration given his past experience and current political contributions.
This debate over Musk’s immigration history has become a significant talking point, raising questions about how high-profile individuals navigate immigration rules and the impact of past actions on their public positions.
