Elon Musk Faces Backlash After Endorsing Post Claiming Americans ‘Too Retarded’ for Skilled Jobs, Igniting MAGA Movement Fury
*By synthesizing reporting from Reuters, The Hill, and The New York Times*
**July 15, 2024** — Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, sparked widespread controversy this week after amplifying a social media post that labeled Americans as “too retarded” to fill skilled labor jobs. The post, originally shared by a right-leaning account on X (formerly Twitter), criticized U.S. workforce capabilities while advocating for increased immigration of “skilled foreigners.” Musk’s endorsement of the message has drawn sharp rebukes from MAGA-aligned groups, politicians, and labor advocates, reigniting debates over nationalism, immigration, and domestic workforce development.
– The Controversial Post and Musk’s Involvement
On July 12, Musk replied “Sadly true” to a post claiming: Americans are too retarded to handle technical jobs. We need smarter immigrants ASAP.” The original user, whose account often shares anti-Biden and pro-MAGA content, argued that U.S. workers lack the skills required for advanced manufacturing and tech roles, despite Musk’s companies benefiting heavily from federal subsidies and American taxpayer support.
Critics quickly condemned the use of the derogatory term “retarded” and accused Musk of disparaging domestic labor. MAGA supporters, who prioritize “America First” policies, expressed outrage over the implied dismissal of U.S. workers. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tweeted: *“Elon Musk insults hardworking Americans while taking their tax dollars. This is globalist elitism at its worst.
MAGA Movement Reacts: “Betrayal” of American Workers
The MAGA movement, which has long championed domestic job creation and restrictions on immigration, labeled Musk’s comments hypocritical. Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor, declared on his *War Room* podcast: *“Musk wants cheap foreign labor while pretending to care about free speech. Real Americans built this country—not his vanity projects.”*
Pro-Trump forums and conservative media outlets echoed the sentiment, with Breitbart running the headline: Musk Joins the Anti-American Elite. Some supporters called for boycotts of Tesla, citing parallels between Musk’s stance and corporate outsourcing trends that have historically displaced U.S. workers.
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Musk’s Defense and Broader Immigration Debate
Musk defended his position on X, arguing his remarks were being taken out of context. *“The U.S. faces a STEM crisis. We need both better education and high-skilled immigration,”* he wrote, pointing to declining U.S. rankings in global math and science scores.
The tech billionaire has long advocated for streamlined visas for skilled workers, clashing with MAGA’s push for stricter immigration controls. In 2023, Musk testified before Congress about labor shortages in the AI and aerospace sectors, urging reforms to attract global talent. However, labor economists like Dr. Erica Groshen (Cornell University) counter that underinvestment in vocational training—not worker capability—is the root issue. The U.S. has a pipeline problem, not a talent problem, she told *The New York Times*.
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Political Fallout and Broader Implications
The incident highlights growing tensions between tech leaders and populist conservatives. While Musk has historically aligned with libertarian and free-speech advocates, his latest remarks risk alienating a key base. President Joe Biden’s campaign seized the moment, releasing a statement: *“Mr. Musk’s contempt for American workers reveals whose side he’s on—billionaires, not everyday people.
Meanwhile, progressive lawmakers like Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) criticized Musk for “blaming workers instead of investing in them.” The clash underscores a national divide: 70% of Republicans now oppose expanding high-skilled visas, per a 2024 Pew Research poll, while 68% of tech executives support immigration reforms.
What’s Next?
As backlash mounts, Musk’s influence as a political figure faces new scrutiny. With Tesla’s stock dipping 3% following the controversy, analysts speculate whether his polarizing rhetoric could impact consumer and investor sentiment. For now, the debate rages on—a collision of corporate pragmatism, nationalist pride, and the fraught quest to define “American-made” in a globalized economy.
Sources: Reuters, The Hill, The New York Times, Pew Research Center.
