Elon Musk accused of censorship as H1B migrant controversy deepens

Elon Musk is facing accusations of censorship following claims that his X social media platform removed premium features from accounts that criticized his position in the ongoing debate on immigration visas.

This week, several notable conservative accounts have voiced their complaints after having their blue verification badge rescinded, leading to a loss of privileges such as the ability to monetize their content.

The account ConservativeOG reported that over 50 users were impacted by what is believed to be censorship by Musk, who typically emphasizes his support for freedom of speech.

It comes after the South Africa-born Tesla boss and incoming White House official voiced support for H-1B visas, which allow highly-skilled foreigners to work in the US for six years, rather than prioritizing American employees. 

Musk this week even threatened to ‘go to war’ with MAGA republicans after he defended the visas, and Donald Trump shocked faithful followers by siding with the SpaceX founder on the hot-button topic. 

Now, Musk appears to have stepped it up a notch by revoking privileges from X users who disagreed with his views, according to several prominent conservative accounts. 

‘With Elon’s shift on H-1B visas, we now would like answers for losing our gold checkmark. Cooler heads must prevail to restore badges for our 50+ affiliates. Right or wrong, this platform claims to champion free speech—so let’s see it in action,’ ConservativeOG wrote on X. 

‘We pay 1K a month for a “free speech platform,” we want that!’

Elon Musk has been accused of censorship after his X social media platform allegedly removed premium features from accounts which criticized his stance in the fierce ongoing debate about immigration visas

Elon Musk has been accused of censorship after his X social media platform allegedly removed premium features from accounts which criticized his stance in the fierce ongoing debate about immigration visas

Trump with hard right influencer Laura Loomer

Trump with hard right influencer Laura Loomer

Conservative pundit Laura Loomer also weighed in. 

‘Why are X users who pay for @premium having their posts listed as “probable spam” on my posts @elonmusk? This is censorship. I understand you don’t like me, but this is nothing but retaliatory censorship?’ she wrote on X.    

The accounts were still active on Sunday. Some conservatives said the move was a betrayal of Musk’s pledges to make X a free speech haven when he bought the app, which was then called Twitter, in 2022. 

Musk, who immigrated to the US from South Africa and became a citizen in 2002, did not respond to requests for comment, but he posted about the X algorithm on Thursday night.    

‘Just a reminder that the algorithm is trying to maximize unregretted user-seconds,’ Musk wrote. 

‘If far more credible, verified subscriber accounts (not bots) mute/block your account compared to those who like your posts, your reach will decline significantly.’

But the post sparked further accusations that Musk has been shadow-banning his conservative critics by sabotaging their engagement with other users. 

Preston Parra, 23, the influencer who runs the ConservativeOG account, accused Musk of staging a ‘political takedown’ in retaliation for publicly disagreeing with his views on visas and immigration

‘If anyone thinks for one minute the REAL backbone of the right wing and MAGA is gonna stand idly by while these big tech gillionaire Silicon Valley dweebs who didn’t get bullied enough in high school, steal our country, they’re mistaken,’ Parra told NBC News in a text message. 

Parra said he believes Musk to be a ‘Trojan horse’ in the Trump camp. Several accounts have also referred to Musk as ‘the monarch’, suggesting he has absolute control over the website. 

Musk this week even threatened to 'go to war' with MAGA republicans after he defended the visas, and Donald Trump shocked faithful followers by siding with the SpaceX founder on the hot-button topic

Musk this week even threatened to ‘go to war’ with MAGA republicans after he defended the visas, and Donald Trump shocked faithful followers by siding with the SpaceX founder on the hot-button topic

Musk, who immigrated to the US from South Africa and became a citizen in 2002, did not respond to requests for comment, but he posted about the X algorithm on Thursday night

Musk, who immigrated to the US from South Africa and became a citizen in 2002, did not respond to requests for comment, but he posted about the X algorithm on Thursday night

On Saturday, the president-elect praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S.

‘I´ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That´s why we have them,’ Trump told the New York Post.

In fact, Trump has in the past criticized the H-1B visas, calling them ‘very bad’ and ‘unfair’ for U.S. workers. 

During his first term as president, Trump unveiled a ‘Hire American’ policy that directed changes to the program to try to ensure the visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants.

Despite his criticism of them and attempts to curb their use, he has also used the visas at his businesses in the past, something he acknowledged in his interview Saturday.

‘I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I´ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It´s a great program,’ Trump told the newspaper.

He did not appear to address questions about whether he would pursue any changes to the number or use of the visas once he takes office Jan. 20.

On Saturday, the president-elect praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S

On Saturday, the president-elect praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S

Trump’s hardline immigration policies, focused mostly on immigrants who are in the country illegally, were a cornerstone of his presidential campaign and a priority issue for his supporters.

But in recent days, his coalition has split in a public debate largely taking place online about the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. 

Hard-right members of Trump’s movement have accused Musk and others in Trump’s new flank of tech-world supporters of pushing policies at odds with Trump’s ‘America First’ vision.

Software engineers and others in the tech industry have used H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers and say they are a critical tool for hard-to-fill positions. 

But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated.

You May Also Like
Preacher doesn't flinch as activist points apparent gun at his head

Activist Points Apparent Gun at Preacher’s Head Without Flinching

Unfazed and unshaken. A shocking video has surfaced, showing the moment when…
Kim Kardashian left distraught as ex Kanye West drags their daughter North, 11, into Diddy scandal

Kim Kardashian is upset as former partner Kanye West involves their 11-year-old daughter, North, in Diddy controversy

Kim Kardashian has been left distraught as her ex-husband Kanye West drags their…
Don Jr's blunt one-word response to his ex-wife Vanessa dating golf legend Tiger Woods

Donald Trump Jr reacts briefly to ex-wife Vanessa’s relationship with golf icon Tiger Woods

Donald Trump Jr. is ‘cool’ with his ex-wife Vanessa’s bombshell relationship with golf…
Trump announces 'decisive and powerful' airstrikes against Houthi terrorists in Yemen

Trump declares forceful airstrikes on Houthi terrorists in Yemen

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has ordered airstrikes against…
Chicago, Illinois storm damage today: Severe storms leave damage behind in Elgin, other areas; High Wind Warning continues

Significant damage caused by severe storms today in Elgin and other Chicago areas; High Wind Warning remains in effect

CHICAGO (WLS) — Severe storms caused damage across the area Chicago area…
Missing American college student seen on resort surveillance in Dominican Republic

Passport of important witness in the case of missing college student confiscated

In Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, the passport of Joshua Riibe, who…
Tucker Carlson believes InfoWars reporter may have been assassinated by Ukraine and reveals which US leader could be next

“Tucker Carlson Speculates on Potential Foul Play in InfoWars Reporter’s Death and Raises Concerns About Safety of US Leaders”

Tucker Carlson raises concerns that InfoWars reporter Jamie White could have been…
Illinois AG Kwame Raoul says office not backing down from lawsuits against Trump administration despite budget limits

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul remains committed to pursuing lawsuits against Trump administration despite budget constraints

Even though President Donald Trump has been in power for two months,…
Watch: Trump is HIT in face by reporter... but he 'handles it like a pro'

Video: Reporter hits Trump in the face, but he reacts like a professional

During a press gathering at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Donald Trump…
Ayo Edebiri takes on a pop icon and his cult followers in twisted new thriller 

Ayo Edebiri stars in a gripping new thriller about a pop icon and his devoted fans

LOS ANGELES — If you are a fan of Ayo Edebiri, get…
BOO-HOO: Elizabeth Warren Nearly in Tears Over Trump and Elon's Plan to Dismantle Education Department

Elizabeth Warren upset about Trump and Elon Musk’s proposal to get rid of the Education Department

Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic Senator known for her liberal views, is criticized…
No Big Surprise: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Office Helping Illegal Aliens Evade ICE Repatriation Efforts

AOC reacts to Kyrsten Sinema pointing out her double standards, and AOC might regret it.

It was quite a sight to see Democrats, who had been fiercely…