Biden Highlights Musk’s Past as an “Illegal Worker”
In a recent campaign speech, President Joe Biden criticized billionaire Elon Musk, highlighting Musk’s early days in the U.S. as an “illegal worker” and pointing to what he termed Musk’s hypocrisy on immigration. Speaking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Biden noted Musk’s trajectory from a foreign student to becoming the world’s wealthiest man and Republican supporter. Addressing Musk’s previous undocumented work status, Joe Biden remarked, “That wealthiest man in the world turned out to be an illegal worker here when he was here,” referencing Musk’s initial immigration path in the U.S.
Musk, a known ally of former President Donald Trump and a substantial contributor to his campaign was also criticized for allegedly bypassing immigration regulations. Joe Biden expressed frustration over Trump’s and Republicans’ failure to support effective border reforms, claiming that illegal crossings are currently lower than at any time since Trump’s third presidential year. As of now, the Trump campaign has not issued a response to Biden’s comments.
Musk’s Political Moves in Pennsylvania Draw Attention
Recently, Musk has been making rounds in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, conducting town hall events to drum up support for Trump. As part of his pro-Trump efforts, Musk offered $1 million in lottery-style rewards to registered voters who supported a petition circulated by his organization, America PAC. According to analysts from the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Trump’s immigration proposals, which Musk endorses, involve sweeping deportation operations, ending birthright citizenship, and targeting foreign student visas for those involved in certain protests.
These measures reflect Musk’s alignment with Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, despite Biden’s claims about Musk’s own history. Furthermore, Joe Biden’s statements follow a Washington Post report that delved into Musk’s initial U.S. arrival on a student visa in the 1990s, intending to attend Stanford University. Instead of pursuing his studies, Musk began working illegally, a path that would ultimately launch his career.
Building Wealth Through Early Ventures Despite Immigration Hurdles
According to the Washington Post, Musk’s venture-backed startup Zip2 was built amid investor concerns over his uncertain immigration status, prompting them to urge Musk to obtain a work visa. Eventually, Musk achieved legal work status and continued growing his career. Zip2’s sale in 1999, which earned Musk millions, provided the financial foundation for his future successes, including his early investments in Tesla and the establishment of SpaceX.
Today, Musk’s wealth and influence have reached extraordinary levels. With a net worth estimated at around $274 billion, he remains a prominent figure in the business and political landscape. Following his high-profile acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, Musk has used the platform to amplify his views on immigration, often making claims about the risks of open borders and alleging noncitizen voting, which experts and studies have largely debunked.
