CNN anchor Abby Phillip has come out in defense of Trump loyalist Laura Loomer amid her ongoing dispute with Elon Musk.
Following a power struggle between MAGA conservatives who have voiced their opinions on Musk’s views on immigration, Loomer has claimed that the X CEO has restricted her account.
In one conversation, Musk accused Loomer, who has 1.4 million followers and had a verified account at the time, of trolling during a dispute over visas for Indian tech workers.
Loomer’s account had remained active, but she says she lost the monetization features and other benefits.
The issue was raised by Phillip on NewsNight, who said: ‘(Loomer’s) saying this is basically cancel culture that Elon Musk doesn’t like what she’s saying and has effectively banned her from the platform.
“It wouldn’t be the first time he’s been accused of doing something like this.”
Her guest Coleman Hughes noted that Musk bought Twitter and promised to restore freedom of speech, saying the Tesla CEO was a hypocrite on the issue.
Phillip added, “TApparently freedom of speech does not apply to criticizing Elon Musk.’
The issue was raised by Phillip on NewsNight, who came out in defense of Loomer
In one conversation, Musk accused Loomer, who has 1.4 million followers and ran a verified account at the time, of trolling amid a dispute over visas for Indian tech workers.
Loomer isn’t the only one experiencing problems: NBC reports that at least fourteen conservative accounts are raising concerns about being shut down by X.
On Thursday, Musk posted a “reminder” to X, writing that the site’s algorithm automatically reduces a user’s reach if they are blocked or muted by other users.
He said: “If many more credible, verified subscriber accounts (not bots) mute/block your account compared to those who like your posts, your reach will be significantly reduced.”
Loomer has been frantically posting messages to the outlet to get her account back to normal.
One post read: “Elon Musk has been a Republican for five minutes and now he wants to decide who gets to become a Republican.
“Elon, you said you were a free speech absolutist. If so, please let’s let all ideas flourish and let the best ideas win. Let us embrace the absolutism of free speech.”
In another, she said, “We want to have a conversation with (Musk) but he’s limiting the conversation by unchecking our boxes and calling out trolls and captions.
‘I would like to have a conversation, but he has restricted my account. That is a bad faith attempt at conversation and debate.”
President-elect Donald Trump attends Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 22, 2024
Musk is the new co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), working with Vivek Ramaswamy
The immigration debate that fueled the feud with Musk centers on the H-1B visa program.
The program, which allows U.S. companies to hire highly qualified foreign workers, has become a lightning rod for controversy within the ranks of newly elected President Donald Trump.
At the heart of the storm is Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican Party presidential candidate and Trump appointee, whose outspoken defense of the program has drawn backlash from both MAGA loyalists and high-profile Republicans.
Ramaswamy, who was recently appointed co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stoked the controversy with a provocative post on X.
In his message, he expressed strong support for bringing “highly skilled” foreign workers to the US, even as MAGA voters and Trump himself have called for stricter immigration policies.
He further criticized the country’s cultural priorities, stating that a society that celebrates “the prom queen over the Math Olympiad champion” 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 edge in science and technology.
Far-right commentator Laura Loomer, pictured, took an even tougher stance
Loomer took an even harsher stance, accusing Ramaswamy of undermining MAGA’s original agenda.
Musk will lead the DOGE department alongside Ramaswamy and is seen as a close confidant of Trump.
Loomer has become a fixture at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home despite her outlandish views, including racist comments about Kamala Harris.
Trump said at a news conference that he is unaware of the controversy surrounding Loomer and said he has no control over her.
In a more complete statement on Truth Social, Trump appeared to reject some of her more controversial comments.
He said, “Laura Loomer does not work for the campaign. She is a private citizen and a long-time advocate. I do not agree with the statements she has made.’
However, he then moved on to a statement of support for Loomer, saying that September 11 was an inside job and that as Kamala Harris, “the White House will smell like curry and the White House speeches will be facilitated through a call center.”
At a press conference afterward at his golf club in Los Angeles on the Pacific Ocean, Trump declined to criticize her.
He said: ‘I have no control over Laura. I can’t tell Laura what to do. She is an advocate.” Instead, he called her a “free spirit” and claimed to know nothing about the post in question.
Vice President Harris is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants.
Loomer was spotted on Trump’s private jet, alarming many of the former president’s allies who believed she could hurt his chances in the upcoming election.
When contacted at the time by DailyMail.com, his campaign did not comment on why Loomer was allowed to fly with Trump.