The feud between far-right activist Laura Loomer and tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken a dramatic turn, with Loomer accusing Musk of retaliating against her on the platform formerly known as Twitter, now X.
Loomer’s Claims
Loomer alleges that her X account was suspended, her verification badge removed, and her subscription demonetized after a heated debate over foreign work visas. “It’s just pure retaliation at this point,” Loomer said during an interview with Newsweek.
Despite reaching out to multiple people at X for an explanation, she says, “Nobody’s getting back to me. I’m being directly targeted by Twitter and Elon.”
What Sparked the Clash?
The fallout began on December 23, when Loomer criticized Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Sriram Krishnan, a proponent of expanding green card caps for skilled workers, as an adviser on AI policy. She claimed his views clash with Trump’s “America First” agenda and accused tech leaders of trying to infiltrate the administration for personal gain.
Musk, who has benefited from H-1B visas to attract global talent for his companies, defended the program, saying a lack of skilled engineers is a major issue for Silicon Valley. In response, he accused Loomer of “trolling for attention,” a comment that escalated their feud.
Social Media Backlash
Things worsened when Loomer’s account was suspended for 12 hours. Upon her return, her verification badge was gone, and her subscription features, including ad revenue and visibility perks, were removed. She also claimed her posts were being flagged as spam, making it difficult for others to engage with her content.
Adding fuel to the fire, Loomer apologized for accidentally sharing private information about Krishnan in a now-deleted post. She argued that others have shared similar Federal Election Commission (FEC) data without consequences, calling X’s enforcement “selective outrage.”
“Why is it okay for others to post FEC filings without repercussions? Why are my posts being labeled as spam?” Loomer asked.
Musk’s Defense
Musk has made it clear that he’s drawing a line between free speech and paid privileges. “The First Amendment protects free speech, not paid speech,” he tweeted.
He further explained that X’s algorithm prioritizes credible, verified accounts. If a significant number of users block or mute your account, your visibility declines.
The Bigger Debate
At the heart of this drama is a growing divide within the MAGA movement over immigration policies like the H-1B visa program. Musk and Trump argue these visas attract the brightest minds to the U.S., while critics like Loomer believe they hurt American workers.
This disagreement has left Trump supporters split, with some siding with Musk and others rallying behind Loomer.
Supporters Speak Out
Conservative voices have chimed in to support Loomer, including Kylie Jane Kremer of Women for America First, who tweeted, “I can’t even mention @LauraLoomer without being penalized.”
Civil rights lawyer Leo Terrell also questioned Musk’s actions, asking, “When will you reinstate @LauraLoomer?”
Even Nick Fuentes, a controversial far-right figure, claimed, “Twitter censorship is back. Free speech is dead.”
What’s Next?
Loomer believes this sets a dangerous precedent for Trump’s base. “It sends a message that we can be censored if we challenge Elon,” she warned.
She also raised concerns about Musk’s growing influence, asking, “If he can shut off your X account, what’s stopping him from shutting off your internet with Starlink or even your Tesla?”
This saga isn’t just about one person’s account—it’s a battle over the future of free speech and the role of tech platforms in shaping public discourse.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about the Musk-Loomer feud? Is this about free speech, or is there more to the story? Let’s keep the conversation going!