Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and political donor, has been staying at one of many unique cottages in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump’s personal membership, in accordance with studies by The New York Instances.
The association locations Musk in shut proximity to Trump, enabling him to attend coverage discussions, vet potential administration candidates, and accompany the president-elect on calls with overseas leaders.
Musk’s lodging, generally known as the Banyan Cottage, reportedly prices at the least $2,000 an evening. Nonetheless, it’s unclear whether or not Musk is being charged the complete quantity or receiving a reduced fee because of his vital political contributions and function as an adviser.
Trump aides have expressed issues about Musk’s degree of affect in shaping the administration’s transition plans, elevating questions on the associated fee and ethics of such unprecedented entry.
Musk’s keep has not been with out advantages for the billionaire. Stories counsel he has made particular meal requests and hosted his kids on the property, additional underscoring his entry to the president-elect’s inside circle.
When Trump assumes workplace on January 20, it’s anticipated that safety measures on the White Home will restrict Musk’s proximity, although his affect is unlikely to wane given his distinguished function in the course of the transition interval.
Trump backs Musk on H-1B Visas: declares this ‘an important programme’
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his help for H-1B visas, aligning himself with tech billionaire Elon Musk in an ongoing debate inside his personal political base. Chatting with The Publish on Saturday, Mr Trump stated he has lengthy been an advocate for the visa programme, which permits US firms to rent extremely expert overseas employees.
“I’ve at all times favored the visas. I’ve at all times been in favour of the visas. That’s why we’ve them,” Mr Trump stated throughout a telephone interview. “I’ve many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I’ve used it many instances. It’s an important programme,” he added.
The feedback mark a notable shift for Mr Trump, who throughout his first administration restricted entry to overseas employee visas and criticised such programmes as undermining US employees.
Mr Trump’s remarks come amid heightened debate on the difficulty, spurred by Mr Musk and different know-how leaders calling for the enlargement of H-1B visas. Proponents argue the programme is important for making certain American firms can safe top-tier expertise, particularly in fields the place home experience could also be missing.
“America should appeal to the highest 0.1% of engineering expertise to stay aggressive,” Mr Musk wrote on X, previously Twitter. He emphasised that this degree of experience is crucial to “preserve America profitable.”
Divisions throughout the MAGA base
Whereas tech business leaders, together with Mr Musk, advocate for the programme, MAGA hardliners inside Mr Trump’s base have demanded more durable restrictions on immigration. They argue {that a} deal with selling US employees ought to take priority.
Mr Musk’s impassioned defence of the H-1B visa programme turned combative final week when he clashed with critics on X. Responding to Steven Mackey, who mocked his stance by referencing one among Mr Musk’s personal phrases—“Cease attempting to optimise one thing that shouldn’t exist”—the Tesla and SpaceX CEO fired again, “The explanation I’m in America together with so many important individuals who constructed SpaceX, Tesla, and lots of of different firms that made America sturdy is due to H1B.”
Mr Musk’s stance has garnered help from Vivek Ramaswamy, who is predicted to move the Division of Authorities Effectivity below Mr Trump’s administration. Mr Ramaswamy additionally critiqued US tradition, writing on X: “American tradition has commemorated mediocrity over excellence.”
Musk’s ‘conflict’ of phrases
The talk intensified when Mr Musk vowed to go to “conflict” over the difficulty, responding bluntly to a critic, telling them to “go f*** your self.” This strong defence underscores the stakes, with Mr Musk arguing that the programme is indispensable for sustaining America’s technological and financial edge.
Supporters of Mr Musk and the H-1B visa programme view it as a vital means to fill gaps within the US labour market, significantly in specialised roles. Nonetheless, critics inside Mr Trump’s circle are urgent him to prioritise his earlier guarantees to bolster employment alternatives for US residents.