Biden Accuses Musk of Past Immigration Violations
During a campaign event at a union hall in Pittsburgh, President Joe Biden criticized Tesla CEO Elon Musk over alleged immigration hypocrisy, referencing a recent report that claims Musk once worked illegally in the United States. Biden questioned Musk’s stance on immigration, accusing him of holding inconsistent views given his personal history.
“The wealthiest man in the world became an illegal worker here. No, I’m serious,” Biden remarked, pointing to Musk’s student visa status when he first arrived in the U.S. “He was supposed to be in school, but he wasn’t. He was violating the law. And he’s talking about all these illegals coming our way?” Biden’s comments come as part of his campaign outreach ahead of the 2024 election. The report Biden cited claims Musk initially arrived in the U.S. for a Stanford University graduate program in 1995 but chose to work on his startup instead of enrolling in classes.
Musk Defends Himself on Social Media
In response to Biden’s comments, Musk took to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to deny the allegations. Musk posted, “I was allowed to work in the US,” directly refuting the claim that he had worked illegally. He further criticized Biden, calling him a “puppet” and accusing him of dishonesty in his statements.
The Washington Post report, which initially brought Musk’s past immigration status to light, alleged that Musk worked without authorization shortly after arriving in the U.S. Company documents, former associates, and court records all suggested that Musk’s investors at Zip2, his first startup, were concerned he could face deportation without a valid work visa. According to the report, the investors urged Musk to acquire a proper visa, establishing a deadline to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration law. Musk reportedly applied to Stanford as a means to stay in the country legally but soon diverted his focus toward launching Zip2.
Political Tensions and Musk’s Current Influence
Today, Musk, a major financial supporter of conservative political candidates, wields significant influence in American politics. He has pledged over $70 million to aid Republican candidates in the upcoming election, including GOP nominee Donald Trump, making him one of the party’s leading financial backers this season. Biden’s comments reflect an emerging tension between Musk’s political contributions and his personal immigration history.
The Washington Post further reported a 2005 email from Musk, submitted as evidence in a past defamation case, where Musk admitted he lacked legal authorization to be in the U.S. when he launched Zip2. This revelation has fueled criticism as Musk, now the world’s richest individual, publicly voices concerns on immigration policy and financial support for GOP candidates promoting stricter immigration laws.
With the 2024 election approaching, the controversy surrounding Musk’s immigration history and political involvement has become a focal point in the campaign discourse, reflecting broader debates over immigration and wealth influence in American politics.
