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Netizens on X have reacted to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reposting a tweet that invited applicants for various positions in the United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This comes amid the tech billionaire's recent fight with netizens over a disagreement on the H1-B visa.
On November 13, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency, along with Vivek Ramaswamy. The 53-year-old eventually changed the DOGE logo, featuring a playful Shiba Inu in the new one. The acronym is also reminiscent of the eponymous crypto coin, which Elon Musk has been a longtime supporter of.
Fast forward to December 28, Elon Musk spoke in favor of the H1-B visa, opining that it helped strengthen America. Netizens took to X to react to the DOGE department inviting applicants for HR, IT, and Finance positions. Many users alluded to his H1-B visa controversy in the comment section. One user sarcastically said:
"Only Indian applicants accepted."
"This whole program of importing underpaid, coerced and exploited workers is predatory and needs to end. Now. Hire American and make America products like we did in the golden years when we were number 1. We can do it again," wrote another.
"Can you explain to us, Elon, why Indians have to come here in order to do computer work? You can tell Modi at your next meeting that it isn’t checking out, if they are really so great at coding why can’t they do it in India?" opined another individual.
One user opined about the alleged working conditions for the job profiles, writing:
"Caveat * DOGE only wants non-white Americans or H1B working on-site for 80hrs a week in cubicle made for 1 but fits 3. Apply away."
"You and Vivek should be removed. Your verbally abusive attitude towards American citizens disqualifies you from any position in the Trump administration. You have no love for, or loyalty to, the American people. You are a transactional globalist and I do not trust you," another chimed in.
"Dude, you need to take a step back and realize that if we truly love America, then we must prioritize Americans. We need to fix our education system and culture (and so many other things), so we can prosper. There will always be a place for foreign talent, but hiring domestic is critical," opined a user on X.
Some other comments on X are as follows:
"Can you confirm that these positions will only be open to Americans? DOGE is a great idea, we want it to succeed," asked a user on X.
"Will even one white applicant make it beyond the initial filter? Americans have been dealing with this for literally the last 30 years. And we're sick and tired of all of it. America made Elon. Not the other way around. Companies get breaks from the government to not hire white Americans. Enough is enough. We're not taking this shit anymore," opined another.
"I hear there are lots of Indian workers ready to go, Elon! They'll work for next to nothing. Never complain. And you don't even need to get them H1Bs - they can just work remotely. But I don't have to tell you this," inferred another user on X.
"Take a big step back and F*CK YOURSELF in the face" - Exploring Elon Musk's viral response amid H1-B visa controversy
On December 28, Elon Musk slammed X-user Steven Mackey, asking him to 'f*ck' himself" over the H1-B visa controversy. It all started when Mackey quoted a video featuring an Elon Musk's interview in which he implored people not to "optimize something that shouldn't exist."
Mackey responded to the video, commenting:
"“Stop trying to optimize something that shouldn’t exist. Let’s optimize H1-B."
In response, the billionaire tech mogul cleared his stance on the H1-B visa issue while using profanities to Mackey. He also threatened to 'go to war' about the debacle. Elon Musk wrote:
"The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and F*CK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend."
As per the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, H1-B visas are issued to professionals who possess "theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge." To be eligible for it, one needs a bachelor's degree in their respective fiel, aling with other requirments.
The professionals who meet the eligibility criteria for the H1-B visa are allowed to work in the United States if they are offered a temporary job by a United States-based company. The company must also offer wages that are not lower than a similarly qualified worker. Furthermore, the remuneration can't be less than what is applicable in the geographical area where the person will be employed.
Many companies in the United States resort to using H1-B visas to attract skilled foreign talent for their companies. Tech moguls like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have recently come out in support of the H1-B visas. Both have opined that the said visas were necessary to attract talent from across the globe for their respective companies.
