Less than a month before Donald Trump returns to office, two of his most ardent allies have plunged into a fierce online debate over immigration, specifically the government’s visa program that allows American companies to hire so-called “highly skilled” foreign workers.

The Tesla billionaire, chosen by Donald Trump to be co-head of his new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has infuriated anti-immigration elements of the Republican Party by defending the H-1B visa, which permits highly educated foreigners to work in the US for up to six years.

The provocateur said the Republican Party needs to "have an honest conversation about Big Tech influence over MAGA."