Biden on Musk/ Musk immigration controversy/ Musk illegal work/ Musk Biden immigration/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden criticized Elon Musk for alleged hypocrisy on immigration, citing a report that Musk once worked illegally in the U.S. Musk, who immigrated from South Africa, denied the claims on social media. The report alleges Musk stayed in the U.S. on a student visa in 1995 but worked on a startup instead of enrolling at Stanford.
Biden’s Comments on Musk’s U.S. Work Status: Quick Look
- Criticism: Biden accused Musk of hypocrisy regarding illegal immigration.
- Report Findings: Musk allegedly worked illegally on a student visa in 1995.
- Musk’s Response: Denied allegations on X, called Biden’s comments “lies.”
- Investor Concerns: Early investors worried Musk might face deportation.
- Campaign Context: Biden’s remarks came during a Pittsburgh union hall rally.
- Musk’s Campaign Role: Musk supports GOP candidates, including Trump.
Biden Claims Musk Hypocritical on Immigration Amid Work Visa Report
Deep Look
President Joe Biden took aim at Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Saturday, responding to a recent report suggesting Musk had worked in the United States illegally upon his initial arrival in the 1990s. Speaking at a union hall rally in Pittsburgh, Biden questioned Musk’s stance on immigration, pointing to the tech billionaire’s own alleged past as an undocumented worker in the U.S.
“Here’s the wealthiest man in the world, an illegal worker in our own country, criticizing immigrants coming here,” Biden said to a crowd of union members, adding, “He was supposed to be in school on a student visa, but he wasn’t—he was violating the law.”
The Washington Post had published a report detailing Musk’s early years in the U.S., specifically noting that Musk, who was born in South Africa, first arrived in California in 1995 under a student visa to enroll in a Stanford graduate program. However, according to the report, Musk never enrolled at Stanford and instead quickly pivoted to building his first startup, Zip2, a decision that allegedly placed him in breach of his visa requirements. The report cites company records, former business associates, and court documents from a previous California defamation lawsuit, which included an email from Musk admitting he lacked the necessary work authorization when he launched his company.
The report claims Musk’s investors worried his immigration status might jeopardize Zip2’s success, prompting them to push him to secure a proper work visa. In response to the allegations, Musk took to X, his social media platform, to deny any illegal activity, saying, “I was in fact allowed to work in the US.” Musk further referred to Biden as a “puppet” and accused him of spreading misinformation.
The public exchange adds fuel to an ongoing debate on immigration policies, a topic Musk has frequently addressed in recent appearances. Known as a major supporter of GOP candidates, Musk has aligned himself with Trump’s platform on immigration and has frequently echoed the former president’s calls for stricter immigration controls. Musk, who has committed over $70 million to support Trump and other Republican candidates in the upcoming election, continues to headline events for the GOP, leveraging his influence and resources to energize Trump’s base.
Reports indicate that Trump has promised Musk a significant role in his administration if he wins in November. Musk’s anti-immigration rhetoric has recently intensified as he campaigns for the GOP, a shift that some critics, including Biden, argue is inconsistent with Musk’s own immigration history.
The President’s comments underscore an emerging tension in the campaign’s final weeks as both Biden and Trump work to mobilize voters on divisive issues. For Biden, highlighting Musk’s reported history as an undocumented worker draws attention to what his campaign sees as Musk’s “double standard” on immigration, especially given Musk’s recent financial and ideological support for Trump.
Tesla and X have not responded to media inquiries about the report or Musk’s immigration status in his early career, and Musk himself has yet to address Biden’s latest remarks beyond his social media posts.
