Democratic Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez ( NY ) is under fire for telling billionaire Elon Musk to “go back to South Africa” during a fiery public appearance outside the Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD). Her remarks, which questioned why Musk was in the United States, have ignited a political storm, with liberals accusing Democrats of embracing “nativism”.
” It was fascinating yesterday— I was watching a film of an appointment of Elon Musk where he said the Italians should remain in Italy and the Chinese may be in China. My problem to Elon Musk is—what the devil are you doing here in America”? Velázquez said on Monday night.
Her notes, however, were based on a state that has already been debunked. According to Fox News, the declaration she attributed to Is originated from a false social media post about a 2023 meeting —one that fact-checking webpage Snopes deemed’ fake.’
‘ Crazed and disingenuous’: Reviewers slam Velázquez
Velázquez’s feedback triggered a flood of reaction on social media. Jeremy Carl, a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, accused her of singling out Musk for being a’ White expat’ while supporting improper immigration.
” Nydia Velázquez has finally found an immigrant she doesn’t like”, Carl posted on X. ” No the tens of thousands of laborers in her city who live off our duty dollars—but America’s greatest businessperson, a White refugee. When the departed tells you who they are, believe them”.
Another critics, including House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Rapid Response Director Bobby LaValley and White House Rapid Response team member Greg Price, condemned the notes as “unhinged”.
Chris Barron, President of Right Turn Strategies, fired backwards:” Think if any Republican said this about any liberal”.
Dems vs Musk: A growing conflict
Velázquez’s assault on Musk comes amid growing Democratic animosity toward the Tesla and SpaceX CEO. Just last week, Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur questioned Musk’s devotion to the US, noting that he has citizen in three places and has” really been these 22 years”.
At Monday’s rally, Velázquez and other Democrats likewise took aim at Musk’s participation with DOGE attempts, claiming they threaten the” spirit of our society”.
Musk, a US citizen since 2002, has not yet responded in a public way, but the discussion has only increased the social divide between Americans regarding free speech, emigration, and the position of tycoon entrepreneurs.
