In a fiery attack on Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, called the tech billionaire “truly evil” and vowed to expel him from the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. Bannon’s comments, which were published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Wednesday, marked a significant break in the relationship between Musk and some factions of the conservative movement.
Bannon, a key figure in the early days of Trump’s administration, has been an outspoken critic of various establishment elites, including those within the tech world. Musk, who has been a prominent supporter of Trump and a regular visitor to Mar-a-Lago, had initially earned favor from Bannon due to his financial backing of Trump’s political ambitions. However, Bannon now seems to have had a change of heart, describing Musk as a “very bad guy” and accusing him of harmful influence.
“He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy,” Bannon said in the interview. “I made it my personal thing to take this guy down. Before, because he put money in, I was prepared to tolerate it; I’m not prepared to tolerate it anymore.” Bannon’s statement signals a sharp turn in his views on Musk, once seen as an ally due to his significant contributions to Trump’s political efforts.
Bannon’s anger toward Musk appears to be linked to a series of policy disagreements and ideological clashes, especially regarding Musk’s stance on immigration. One key issue that Bannon has been particularly vocal about is Musk’s endorsement of H-1B visas. These visas allow U.S. companies to hire skilled workers from overseas in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Musk has advocated for expanding this program, citing the need to attract top talent to the U.S. tech industry.
However, Bannon argues that tech giants, including Musk’s companies, are exploiting the immigration system to fill positions with foreign workers at the expense of American jobs. Bannon believes that this practice undermines American workers and contributes to a growing sense of public frustration and economic inequality. His comments reflect the broader populist sentiment that has been central to the Trump movement, which has often criticized corporate America for prioritizing profits over national interests.
Bannon’s vow to expel Musk from the MAGA movement comes as tensions between the tech elite and conservative populists continue to rise. While Musk has become a symbol of technological innovation and success, his political affiliations and positions on key issues have made him a polarizing figure within the broader political landscape. His outspoken support for certain policies, such as the expansion of H-1B visas, and his business practices have drawn criticism from both the left and right.
Musk’s relationship with Trump and the MAGA movement had seemed mutually beneficial in the past, with Musk offering financial support to Trump’s political efforts and enjoying access to the former president’s inner circle. However, Bannon’s remarks suggest that this relationship may be unraveling, especially as Musk’s positions increasingly diverge from the populist, nationalist policies championed by Trump and his allies.
Bannon’s statement about taking down Musk and removing him from the MAGA movement reflects the deepening ideological rift between tech moguls like Musk and the populist factions within the Republican Party. It remains to be seen how Musk will respond to Bannon’s fierce criticism, but the feud underscores the growing divide between the establishment elite and grassroots conservative movements in American politics.
