On Christmas, some of his own followers expressed their displeasure with X owner Elon Musk after he expressed support for importing more “super talented engineers” from overseas.
Musk responded to a post on X about a purported scarcity of American-born engineering talent in Silicon Valley, which he claimed was limiting the industry’s growth.
“The number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low,” he wrote in a tweet. “Consider this as a professional sports team: if you want your TEAM to win the championship, you must recruit top talent wherever it may be. That allows the entire TEAM to win.
Some of Musk’s followers objected, claiming that Silicon Valley was not doing enough to hire native-born American engineers.
“There are over 330 million people in America,” one follower wrote. “Surely there are enough of them to form your ultimate team? Why would you deny real Americans the opportunity by bringing foreigners here?”
“Your understanding of the situation is upside-down and backwards,” Musk informed him. “Of course, my companies and I would prefer to hire Americans, and we do, because it is far easier than going through the incredibly painful and slow work visa process.
However, there is a severe shortage of highly talented and motivated engineers in America.”
Another Musk follower suggested that he “open a school” to better train Americans, adding, “We have brains.”
“If you need a school, you’ve already lost,” Musk answered.
Other followers accused Musk of simply refusing to pay top talent what it is worth.
“There is plenty of us talent; perhaps you aren’t offering enough,” wrote Eben Plettner. “I work almost 60 hours per week and have been a lead system engineer on several defense projects, but every time I submit a resume to your companies, it is rejected. I was told it’s because of my salary.”
“Because the wages are too low,” responded Joshua Fontanilla. “Because they are being gradually replaced by foreigners. “You are going to lose a lot of political capital on this issue, bro.”
“I’ve seen tech companies lay off highly skilled tech workers all over the place in the last few years,” wrote another Musk follower. “I am a ten-year engineer with many friends who are still waiting for interviews after months and months. Where are you getting this information (sic)?
