President-elect Donald Trump addressed the issue in debate over the H-1B visa program at his Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve celebration, denying any shift in his stance on immigration policy. Despite a new poll revealing that 60 percent of voters believe the US doesn’t need more foreign workers, Trump maintained that the country requires “competent and smart” individuals, particularly as it enters an era of job growth.
“I didn’t change my mind. I’ve always felt we need to have the most competent people in our country,” Trump told reporters as he arrived with incoming First Lady Melania Trump. He emphasized the necessity of foreign talent to fill jobs in a booming US economy, reiterating that the country needs a variety of skilled workers.
Where are you? When are you coming to the “Center of the Universe,” Mar-a-Lago. Bill Gates asked to come, tonight. We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!! DJT
Donald Trump Truth Social 08:47 AM EST 12/27/24
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 27, 2024
Trump had previously criticized the H-1B visa program, calling it “unfair to American workers.” Those comments, though, suggest more openness on immigration and put Trump in line with some of its most high-profile advocates, namely Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Musk, who heads Tesla and X, has been a supporter of the H-1B program, saying that it brings highly educated workers to support innovation. Trump seemed to agree with Musk, as he extended an invitation to him on public social media, inviting him to the Mar-a-Lago celebration. On Truth Social, Trump posted a message for Musk: “Where are you? When are you coming to the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Mar-a-Lago? We miss you and X! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!!”
Musk and his son X joined the event as well, talking to Trump and Melania in the gold-plated ballroom. Such an event stressed the growing coincidence between Trump and Musk, in which both advocates for skilled immigration to fuel American technological and economic growth.
