By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-28 16:16:32 | Updated at 2024-12-29 06:26:13
14 hours ago
CNN anchor Abby Phillip has came out in defense of Trump loyalist Laura Loomer, amid her ongoing dispute with Elon Musk.
After infighting among MAGA conservatives who have voiced opinions on Musk's view on immigration, Loomer has claimed the X CEO has limited her account.
In one exchange, Musk accused Loomer, who has 1.4 million followers and at the time had a verified account, of trolling amid a dispute about Indian tech workers visas.
Loomer's account had remained active but she says she has lost monetization features and other perks.
The issue was brought up by Phillip on NewsNight who said: '[Loomer's] saying that this is basically cancel culture that Elon Musk doesn’t like what she’s been saying and has basically locked her out of the platform.
'It would not be the first time that this is he’s been accused of doing something like that.'
Her guest Coleman Hughes noted that Musk bought Twitter and promised to restore free speech, saying the Tesla CEO was a hypocrite on the issue.
Phillip added: 'The free speech apparently doesn’t apply to criticizing Elon Musk.'
The issue was brought up by Phillip on NewsNight who came out in defense of Loomer
In one exchange, Musk accused Loomer, who has 1.4 million followers and at the time headed a verified account, of trolling amid a dispute about Indian tech workers visas
Loomer is not the only one having issues, with NBC reporting that at least 14 conservative accounts are voicing concerns they had been cut off by X.
On Thursday Musk posted a 'reminder' to X, writing that the site's algorithm automatically reduces the reach of a user if they're blocked or muted by other users.
He said: 'If far more credible, verified subscriber accounts (not bots) mute/block your account compared to those who like your posts, your reach will decline significantly.'
Loomer has been frantically posting to the outlet to have her account returned to normal.
One post said: 'Elon Musk has been a Republican for 5 minutes and now he wants to decide who gets to be a Republican.
'Elon, you said you were a free speech absolutist. If you are, let’s please let all ideas flourish and we will let the best ideas win. Let’s embrace free speech absolutism.'
In another, she said: 'We want to have a conversation with [Musk] but he limits the convo by deleting our check marks and by calling trolls and subt***s.
'I’d be happy to have a conversation, but he limited my account. That’s a bad faith effort at conversation & debate.'
President-elect Donald Trump attends Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 22, 2024
Musk is the incoming co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) working alongside Vivek Ramaswamy
The immigration debate that fueled the arguments with Musk revolves around the H-1B visa program.
The program, which allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers, has become a lightning rod for controversy within President-elect Donald Trump's ranks.
At the heart of the storm is Vivek Ramaswamy, the former GOP presidential hopeful and Trump appointee, whose outspoken defense of the program has triggered backlash from MAGA loyalists and high-profile Republicans alike.
Ramaswamy, who was recently named co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ignited the controversy with a provocative post on X.
In his message, he voiced strong support for bringing 'highly skilled' foreign workers to the U.S., even as MAGA voters and Trump himself have championed stricter immigration policies.
He further criticized the nation's cultural priorities, stating that a society celebrating 'the prom queen over the math olympiad champ' and 'the jock over the valedictorian' would inevitably fail to produce the world's best engineers.
Ramaswamy bizarrely blamed a series of 1990s TV sitcoms for what he saw as a decline in America's lead in the fields of science and tech.
Far-right commentator Laura Loomer, pictured, took an even harsher stance
Loomer took an even harsher stance, accusing Ramaswamy of undermining MAGA's original agenda.
Musk is to head up the DOGE department alongside Ramaswamy, and is seen as being a close confidante of Trump.
Loomer has become a regular fixture at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home despite her outlandish views, which include racist comments about Kamala Harris.
Trump said at a press conference that he's unaware of the controversy surrounding Loomer and said he doesn't control her.
In a more complete statement on Truth Social, Trump appeared to disavow some of her more controversial remarks.
He said: 'Laura Loomer doesn't work for the Campaign. She's a private citizen and longtime supporter. I disagree with the statements she made'.
However, he then continued with a statement of support for Loomer who said 9/11 was an inside job and that if Kamala Harris 'the White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center'.
At a press conference at his Los Angeles golf club in front of the Pacific Ocean after this, Trump refused to criticize her.
He said: 'I don't control Laura. I can't tell Laura what to do. She's a supporter.' Instead he called her a 'free spirit' and claimed to know nothing about the offending post.
Vice President Harris is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants.
Loomer was spotted on Trump's private jet, which alarmed many of the former president's allies who believe she could hurt his chances in the upcoming election.
When contacted by DailyMail.com at the time, his campaign did not comment on why Loomer was allowed to fly with Trump.
