Trump faces furious backlash over 'career leftist' top White House adviser

Donald Trump's incoming senior policy adviser on artificial intelligence has been branded a 'career leftist' who contradicts the 'America First' policy which won over voters during the election.

Sriram Krishnan's appointment has been bogged down in vitriolic criticism, as trolls ask Americans whether they 'voted for this Indian to run the country' and falsely allege he is not a US citizen.

Far-right political activist Laura Loomer slammed Krishnan as a 'career leftist' and described Trump's appointment as 'deeply disturbing'.

'It's alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump's admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump's America First agenda,' she wrote.

'How will be control immigration in our country and promote America First innovation ... This is not America First policy.'

Her comments were swiftly rebuked by Krishnan's supporters, which include Elon Musk and newly appointed White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks.

Musk employed Krishnan in 2022 after taking over Twitter and as he rebranded to X. 

Both Krishnan and Sacks worked together during the transition and were credited with helping to restore accounts which had been previously banned, including MAGA supporters.

Sacks argued that in his role advising on AI technology, Krishnan will have no say on immigration policy.

But beyond that, he told Loomer she'd misinterpreted Krishnan's stance on the allocation of green cards.

Loomer had argued that Krishnan wanted to remove all restrictions on green cards, whereas Sacks noted that he simply wants to remove country caps.

'Right now, every country in the world gets allocated the same number of green cards, no matter how many qualified applicants it has. So applicants from India have an 11 year wait whereas applicants from many other countries have no wait at all,' he said.

'Supporting a limited number of highly skilled immigrants is still a prevalent view on the right. Sriram is definitely not a ''career leftist''.' 

Musk responded to Sacks' comments, agreeing they 'make sense.'

This support from Musk and Sacks has not stopped MAGA supporters from slamming Trump and his new hire. 

One critic on X wrote: 'Terrible appointment by @realDonaldTrump... Sriram is a traitor.'

Another said: 'Trump's recent hire of Sriram Krishnan is a disgrace.'

A third wrote: 'Sriram Krishnan is probably the worst pick so far from team Trump.'

Later, Loomer accused Krishnan of donating to the Kamala Harris campaign, but that, too, was swiftly shot down by Sacks, who insisted the donor was a different person with the same name.

Sacks also noted that Krishnan 'has been a U.S. citizen for a decade.'

'He's not 'running America.' He's advising on A.I. policy. He will have no influence over U.S. immigration policy. 

'These attacks have become crude, and not in the holiday spirit. I'm signing off now. Have a merry Christmas.'

Krishnan's role will focus on ensuring American 'leadership in AI'. He'll be responsible for helping to craft and shape AI policy across government, and he'll work closely with the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.