In an escalating public dispute within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has sharply criticized Elon Musk, calling the Tesla and SpaceX CEO “truly evil” and vowing to ensure Elon Musk has no access to Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Steve Bannon, speaking in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper, expressed his strong opposition to Elon Musk’s influence and his growing role in American politics, especially within Trump’s orbit.
Steve Bannon’s criticism comes amidst a growing division within the MAGA base, particularly regarding the role of foreign workers in Silicon Valley. This rift was further fueled by Trump’s decision to appoint Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence, which drew backlash from far-right MAGA followers who viewed the move as an endorsement of the controversial H-1B visa program.
In his interview, Steve Bannon made it clear that he had made it his personal mission to push Elon Musk out of any involvement in the Trump administration. “He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy,” Steve Bannon said. He went on to explain that he had tolerated Elon Musk’s previous involvement due to his financial support of Trump, but he no longer wished to tolerate Elon Musk’s influence. Steve Bannon emphasized that Elon Musk should be treated “like any other person,” and he took issue with Elon Musk’s outspoken support for policies like the H-1B visa program, which allows highly skilled foreign workers to work in the U.S.
Steve Bannon also made disparaging remarks about Elon Musk’s background, questioning why South African-born Elon Musk should have any say in U.S. immigration policies. “Why do we have South Africans, the most racist people on earth, white South Africans, making any comments at all on what goes on in the United States?” he said.
The tensions between Steve Bannon and Elon Musk highlight a broader divide within Trump’s supporters. While Trump has taken steps to limit the issuance of H-1B visas during his first term, he has also expressed support for the program, calling it a “great program.” Elon Musk, who once held an H-1B visa before acquiring U.S. citizenship, has been an outspoken critic of restrictions on foreign tech workers, pledging to fight for their rights with a level of commitment that Bannon described as reckless.
Despite his support for the H-1B program, Elon Musk has become one of Trump’s most influential allies. Elon Musk publicly endorsed Trump after the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and since then, he has been involved in high-level meetings with lawmakers and foreign leaders. He was also tapped to co-lead the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Steve Bannon’s attack on Elon Musk’s character didn’t stop at political disagreements; he also critiqued Elon Musk’s personal motivations. “We’ve seen peak Elon, his intrusive nature, his lack of understanding of the true issues, and, quite frankly, his support of just himself,” Steve Bannon said. “His sole objective is to become a trillionaire. That’s his objective. He will do anything related to make sure that any one of his companies is protected or has a better deal or he makes more money.”
Steve Bannon further accused Elon Musk of trying to establish “techno-feudalism on a global scale,” describing him as someone who is focused solely on accumulating wealth and power, even if it comes at the expense of the American working class. “The American working people in this country are not going to tolerate it,” Steve Bannon warned.
Elon Musk, who is known for his active presence on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), has yet to respond publicly to Steve Bannon’s remarks. As the world’s richest person, with a net worth surpassing $400 billion, Elon Musk has garnered significant influence within both the tech world and Trump’s political circles. His role as a key ally of the Republican Party and his close relationship with Trump have made him a controversial figure within the broader political spectrum.
As the rift within the MAGA movement deepens, Steve Bannon’s remarks underscore the growing tension between different factions of Trump’s base, particularly over the role of foreign workers in the American economy and the influence of tech billionaires like Elon Musk. The coming months could reveal how these divisions impact Trump’s campaign and the future of the Republican Party, as the battle over the direction of the MAGA movement continues to unfold.
