
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently traded barbs after Musk claimed the Oklahoma congresswoman’s bipartisan immigration legislation would allow illegal immigrants to vote in future U.S. elections.
Lankford, alongside Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Krysten Sinema (I-AZ), introduced a Senate immigration bill designed to combat rising illegal immigration at the southern border. Despite its intention, the legislation would allow up to 8,500 unlawful migrants to cross into the U.S. before the federal government declares a national emergency.
Responding to Musk’s claims that his bill would allow illegal immigrants to vote, the Oklahoma lawmaker said the Tesla CEO should be worried about the 2 million Tesla vehicles that were recently recalled. Lankford’s comments came during an interview with CNN host Jake Tapper.
“Here’s a claim being circulated on Twitter by Elon Musk,” Tapper began while quoting Musk’s comments on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The long-term goal of the so-called ‘Border Security’ bill is enabling illegals to vote,” Musk claimed on the social media platform. “It will do the total opposite of securing the border.”
The long-term goal of the so-called “Border Security” bill is enabling illegals to vote!
It will do the total opposite of securing the border. https://t.co/InPW11ONJH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2024
“Now I know that Elon Musk is not an expert on illegal immigration or the border, but he has a huge megaphone,” Tapper added. “Explain what he’s talking about here. Is he wrong?”
In response, Lankford suggested that Musk “go back to doing the 2 million Teslas that are currently being recalled right now.”
“No it’s not focused on trying to be able to get more illegals to vote, that’s absurd. It’s against the law for anyone that is not a citizen of the United States to be able to vote in the United States in any federal election. Obviously, we’re not dealing with that,” Lankford said.
Forbes previously reported that the Tesla recall would affect over 2 million vehicles. Such a decision concerns small font sizes on warning panels.
Musk’s comments come after he’s denounced the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border crisis, with the Tesla CEO recently turning his attention to Lankford’s immigration bill.
In the “bet-you-didn’t-know” category,
Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas issued written guidance making it clear that:1. Illegal presence alone is not grounds for deportation.
2. Criminal charges, convictions or gang membership alone are not enough for deportation.
You…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2024
“In the ‘bet-you-didn’t-know’ category, Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas issued written guidance making it clear that: 1. Illegal presence alone is not grounds for deportation. 2. Criminal charges, convictions, or gang membership alone are not enough for deportation,” Musk wrote on X.