When California Governor Gavin Newsom sees a political opportunity, he seizes it. This is a good sign that Democratic leadership is recalibrating to be on the front lines of the fight against Donald Trump in the coming years.
Over the weekend, Newsom echoed the infighting among MAGA hardliners. DOGE Brothers Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
As governor of one of the nation’s most populous states and one of the blues, Newsom aligned himself. Elon Musk A series of posts by X brought up the topic of H-1B visas, highlighting the rift within conservative circles.
”.@Elon Musk He’s right when he says, “We need to hire great people wherever they are.” The same principles should apply to support for the agricultural, construction and trade workers who build and feed our country. Top talent is top talent,” Newsom said. I wrote to X.
“It’s good to see Trump accept Elon’s position,” he said I wrote it in another post. “Hard-working immigrants should continue to be a part of our great country. From Silicon Valley to the Central Valley, competition and talented people – from farm workers to construction workers to CEOs – make it possible for us to thrive. Our lives will be better.”
Understandably, MAGA was dissatisfied and as paranoid as ever. 1 user commented“I’ll have him change his position immediately, Gavin.”
another I wrote“LOL, when Gavin Newsom supports that, you’re definitely doing something wrong.”
Ramaswamy, who was born to immigrant parents and whose father is still an Indian citizen, started the online fight on December 26.
“A culture that praises prom queens more than Math Olympiad champions and athletes more than valedictorians will not produce the best engineers,” Ramaswamy said. Posted in Xto add some rather dated examples of American pop culture. “I adore Corey from Boy Meets World, I adore Zack and Slater more than Screech from Saved by the Bell, I adore Stephen more than Steve Urkel from Family Matters. A culture that fetishizes will not produce the best engineers.”
The next day, X’s “Pure Satire” user Posted An interview with Ramaswamy with the caption “The Indian Impulse to Deceive.”
Trump’s recent praise The changes to the H-1B visa reflect a pattern of ups and downs on this issue. In 2016 he Visa support A change from the position stated on the campaign website during a debate on Fox News.
“This country needs highly skilled people. If we can’t have it, we’ll take them. And in Silicon Valley, we need it, we absolutely need it. So we need highly skilled people. It is necessary [workers]” he said.
When asked if he had moved away from his previous stance, he said:[t]Many visas, such as the H-1B, do not have such a requirement to preferentially hire American workers, but “this country needs talented people, so we need to change that and is softening its position.”
as Associated Press reportedJust three months into his first term, President Trump issued the “Buy American, Hire American” executive order, which protects American workers by offering only the highest paid or most skilled applicants. He directed the administration to reform the H-1B visas issued.
California, which borders Mexico, has the most immigrants of any state in the country. one fifth of state population In recent years. and More than half of the workers The state has first- and second-generation immigrants.
Newsom has long leader He is part of the Democratic Party’s anti-Trump movement and is even considered a Trump supporter. potential presidential candidate For the 2028 election. Immigrants Newsom knows well important issues As voters begin heading to the polls in November, Newsom appears to be taking advantage of this favorable political moment.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ramaswami and Mr. Musk face a disintegrating MAGA bromance, navigating a minefield of racism and prejudice. Who will tell you that that’s exactly what they signed up for when they hitched their wagons to Trump?
