Elon Musk Intensifies Immigration Rhetoric Amid Controversial Demographic Claims Tech mogul’s warnings about cultural erosion and population collapse spark national debate

Elon Musk has become an increasingly vocal critic of mass immigration, framing it as an existential threat to national identity and stability. At a recent rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Musk and DOGE employee Antonio Gracias presented Social Security Administration data claiming over 5 million non-citizens received Social Security numbers between 2021 and 2025, which Musk characterized as a Democratic strategy to “import as many illegals as possible”. These remarks come amid his growing alignment with right-wing political factions in both the U.S. and Europe, including his advocacy for a U.S.-Europe zero-tariff trade zone and relaxed cross-border employment rules.

Cultural Identity vs. Demographic Collapse Musk’s arguments hinge on the idea that nations are defined by their people, not geography. During a December 2023 conference in Italy attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Musk urged Italians to “make more Italians” to counter population decline, arguing that relying on immigration would erode cultural identity. “If the birth rate does not at least keep the population stable, then people will fade away,” he said, dismissing immigration as a solution to demographic crises. Similar warnings about Japan’s projected population drop to 74 million by 2100 have become central to his narrative of a “population apocalypse.”

Contrasting Views on Legal vs. Illegal Immigration While Musk insists he supports legal immigration for “diligent, honest” contributors, he has sharply criticized illegal entry. Reacting to a migrant shelter crisis in San Diego, he warned that even 1% of the global population moving to the U.S. would “crush all essential services”. His remarks often conflate legal work authorization programs—like parole status granting temporary Social Security numbers—with systemic abuse, despite evidence showing undocumented immigrants contribute more to Social Security than they withdraw.

Political Alliances and Policy Influence Musk’s alignment with Trump-era policies has grown more pronounced. He recently advised President Trump on trade, advocating for the elimination of U.S.-Europe tariffs, while his DOGE initiative leverages federal data to scrutinize migrant activity. Critics argue these efforts dovetail with far-right agendas, particularly after Musk amplified baseless claims about Democrats “importing voters” through immigration.

Social Media Firestorm Online discussions have reignited over Musk’s 2023 Italy comments, with users debating whether he suggested Italians and Japanese should “stay in their countries”—a claim fact-checkers deem inaccurate but rooted in his emphasis on cultural preservation. Meanwhile, his own immigration history faces scrutiny: Musk, who once described his path from South Africa to the U.S. as a “gray area,” now demands strict vetting processes.

Expert Pushback Demographers challenge Musk’s catastrophic projections. While Italy’s population could fall to 37 million by 2100, experts note migration policies and economic shifts could alter trajectories. Michelle Mittelstadt of the Migration Policy Institute rejects Musk’s voting-related claims, stating there is “no pathway” for mass citizenship grants to undocumented immigrants.

As Musk’s influence on immigration policy grows, his fusion of tech-driven data analytics and populist rhetoric continues to reshape one of America’s most divisive debates.