The MAGA honeymoon is over.

Elon Musk spent Christmas Day online. In the middle of a fierce culture war This would lead him to later claim, unlike Christmas, of his critics that “Back off and FUCK YOURSELF in the face.”

Donald Trump sparked this war by appointing venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as senior AI policy adviser, backed by MAGA acolytes and troll experts. Ra Loomer, parts of the far-right internet are collapsing. It argued that Krishnan’s appointment symbolized a betrayal of the principles of the “America First” movement.

Krishnan is an Indian immigrant and a US citizen. which according to his inheritance It has become a symbol for MAGA rights in the debate over the H-1B visa, which allows certain skilled immigrants to work in the United States.Many technology companies relying on this labor) to respond to Lord Krishna’s appointment Some right-wing posters were therefore used. racist memes To smear Indians, who account for nearly three-quarters of H-1B recipients in recent years, Loomer called workers such as “Third World invaders” and run The “Great Replacement” theory, which claims that America’s white population is being deliberately replaced by non-white people from other countries

Although Musk appears to embrace white supremacy on his own platform, He himself was an immigrant from South Africa. say that he worked in the United States on an H-1B visa before becoming a citizen; Musk also employs this type of employee at his company. He posted on X to support the H-1B program. argument that brought top talent to America This view was not remotely controversial on the Silicon Valley scene, but the reactionary and nationalist wing of the Republican Party was quick to take umbrage with Musk. “Americans don’t think of America as a sports team or a company,” Jack said. Pozobiek the Provocateur write in response to Musk’s tweet on Thursday. “They view it as their home,” Musk later said. Already warned. His critics say he “War on this issue like you can’t fathom,” former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said last weekend. called H-1B is a “scam” and says Musk’s defense of highly skilled immigrants is demonstrating His “true self”

Technological rights and nationalist rights are separate. (but overlapping) actions that went hand-in-hand to help get Trump re-elected Now they are in conflict. It might be the first time since Trump’s victory. The racial hatred and nationalism that fuels the nationalist right cannot be effectively reconciled with the desire of the technological right to conquer the world. (and the universe, in Musk’s case) using possible advantages. After winning the election together, one side must lose.

Read: Even the Koch brothers aren’t this brash.

It should be said that the opposing H-1B is not inherently a MAGA position, the program is. The bugs are well documented.And it has received criticism from both sides. For example, Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, has We’ve argued before. Highly skilled immigrant workers are a weapon that business owners can use to lower wages. Likewise, supporting H-1B only speaks to someone’s politics, even though Musk protects high-skilled immigrants without being racist. But he did it again and again. flirtatious with racial bias on Voice support German far-right party with ties to neo-Nazis

In any case The relationship between the technological right and the nationalist right must be tested. The two are similar in some ways: They share a reactionary and anti-“woke” commitment to reversing the perceived model of American weakness that DEI initiatives have created, and both have shown showing dictatorial tendencies But there are always cracks. Technological rights’ desire for free markets is in fundamental tension with growing conservative skepticism about unchecked capitalism. Tucker Carlson, for example, has spoken of “market capitalism.” Critically Argue about that “Any economic system That weakens and destroys families is not worth having.” Most far-right nationalists consider themselves to be a movement that values ​​prosperity. vitality and human self-determination (as long as they have the correct race or nationality) Most technology rights relate to, among other things, advanced technology. The greatest winger doesn’t even care what the end result is. human extinction–

The right seems to have avoided these conflicts for quite some time. Vice President-elect JD Vance is the physical embodiment of a compromise between the ultra-reactionary, nationalist far right of the Republican Party and its publishers. technology He works at a venture capital firm founded by right-wing tech billionaire Peter Thiel. criticize unregulated free market And to the cheers of far-right influencers with huge followings, he didn’t. Speak out against H-1B visas Even though he invests in companies that subscribe to it. But part of Vance’s job is to unite his party against a common enemy. That role became less urgent after Election Day.

Read: Silicon Valley has got their man.

This clash is a preview of how tensions between the technocratic right and the nationalist right may arise once Trump takes office. Nationalists tend to get most of what they want. Trump has promised mass deportations to their liking. But when they collide with Silicon Valley Trump is also likely to defer to his wealthiest friends. That’s what happened during his first term. This is despite Trump’s populist promises in 2016 that he would build an economy that benefits ordinary people. At the cost of large companies and rich people. (A position more popular with right-wing nationalists.) He has largely done the opposite. By supporting and signing the law Tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy This can happen. Even much of the tech world blames Trump for The “Muslim ban” and his family separation policy which employees of the tech giant have urged their leaders to resist.

This time, Musk and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are overseeing the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, with the help of billionaire venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. Department employeeAnd Krishnan advises on AI policy, technology rights are being consolidated with the incoming administration. Other appointments Trump’s campaign also suggests that his administration will be friendly to the rich and powerful. Advisors and Cabinet appointments So far it includes A confidant who has made extraordinary fortunes from finance and real estate – industries that prioritize the market over other conservative principles – his proposed cabinet includes only a handful of people who would be considered members committed to the right. nationalism So it’s no surprise that Trump appears to be siding with Musk. tell at new york post on Saturday “I have always liked Visa. I’ve always liked Visa. That’s why we have them,” perhaps even more so than last time. The Plutocrats are in control.