Steve Bannon Sparks MAGA Civil War with Call for ‘Reparations’

Steve Bannon has reignited tensions within the MAGA movement. Speaking on his show, War Room, on Monday, Bannon demanded “reparations” for American workers allegedly displaced by immigrants on H-1B visas. He also called for mass deportations of visa holders.

“We should start the discussions on reparations,” Bannon declared, tying his comments to broader calls for an overhaul of immigration policy.

H-1B visas, introduced under the Immigration Act of 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, allow U.S. companies to employ skilled foreign workers in specialized fields. Tech giants like Tesla and Twitter, now X, have long used the program to address labor shortages.

However, the program has become a flashpoint. Critics, including many in the MAGA movement, argue it displaces American workers and suppresses wages. Bannon seized on these concerns, accusing figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy of betraying the “America First” agenda.

Bannon’s comments come on the heels of a public spat between Musk and conservative influencer Laura Loomer. Musk defended the H-1B program on X, calling for reforms rather than abolition. Loomer’s criticism prompted Musk to lash out, reportedly leading to her account’s temporary suspension.

“Why is [Musk] afraid of Laura Loomer?” Bannon questioned on-air. Loomer suggested that Musk’s vast influence makes him untouchable among MAGA advisors. “They’re dependent on his monetization checks,” she claimed.

The concept of reparations has traditionally been linked to compensating descendants of enslaved people. Bannon’s call for financial redress for American tech workers represents a novel extension of the term.

“The H-1B program was designed to address gaps in the labor market,” explained immigration expert Dr. Marisa Carter. “But it’s been mischaracterized as a zero-sum game between U.S. and foreign workers. Bannon’s rhetoric risks oversimplifying a complex issue.”

While President-elect Donald Trump has expressed conditional support for the program, Bannon’s comments suggest a hardline faction within MAGA is pushing for sweeping changes.

Billionaires in the Crosshairs

Bannon labeled Musk, Ramaswamy, and other Silicon Valley elites as “sociopathic overlords” undermining American workers. “They’ve got their own set of economics,” he said, contrasting their priorities with MAGA’s populist ethos.

Musk, who spent millions supporting Trump’s reelection, has become a polarizing figure. While his technological contributions are celebrated, his backing of H-1B visas has drawn ire. In response to critics, Musk suggested reforms to prevent abuses while maintaining the program’s core benefits.

Allison Huynh, a former Democrat turned MAGA advocate, joined the debate on War Room. “Does Musk truly believe in MAGA, or is he pushing his own agenda?” she asked.

Others see the debate as a distraction. “The infighting weakens the movement,” said conservative strategist Mark Reynolds. “We need unity, not division, as we head into a critical election cycle.”

Bannon’s calls for reparations and mass deportations have intensified the MAGA civil war. As the movement grapples with its identity post-election, figures like Musk and Bannon are battling over the future of “America First.”

“The cracks in MAGA are showing,” political analyst Sarah Lin observed. “Whether they heal or deepen depends on how leaders navigate these divisions in the coming months.”