Elon Musk amplified a viral X thread on December 12, 2025, which pointed out how U.S. welfare is a “giant magnet” attracting illegal immigrants, which could lead to America’s collapse. His comments were made in response to a post on incentives drawing welfare-dependent groups, which was sparked by a report claiming 89% of Somali households with children in Minnesota rely on benefits.
Laying out his case, Musk warned of unsustainable immigration. Musk, who has long been vocal on immigration since acquiring X, echoes his concerns over demographic shifts and his support for Trump’s deportation policies amid 2026 reforms.
In any case, the interaction began with a post which read, “This has to stop,” and displayed an image which read, “MINNESOTA: ‘NEARLY EVERY’ SOMALI HOUSEHOLD WITH CHILDREN IS ON WELFARE.” Quoting the last post, another social media user quipped, “Incentives explain outcomes. If a nation has a generous welfare state it will inevitably attract groups that want the welfare.”
Noting this last post, Elon Musk responded with his own take. “Incentives explain outcomes. Free money from the US taxpayer is like a giant magnet attracting 90% of Earth to America! So why wouldn’t vast numbers of illegals want to come here? Unfortunately, if allowed, this will cause the collapse of America,” the tech magnate noted.
In the comments under this viral post, users added their own thoughts. “You’re right. In Sweden, an immigrant family can receive up to $4,000 per month just for existing, and look where we’ve ended up…” one woman added. Offering a solution, a comment suggested, “That’s why it’s so important we get Trump’s EOs into law, but RINOs are standing in the way.”
“This is quintessential Cloward & Piven. It’s a Marxist plot to bankrupt America and make its dollar worthless. Then, the central bank swoops in with digital currency and social credit scores, and it’s game, set, match for freedom,” one conservative suggested.
Continuing, the same user predicted, “Everyone becomes a vassal of the “party” and we effectively work for the state. There are no more voluntary relations — life is totally guided by fear of offending power. No more freedom of speech. No more freedom of thought. No more freedom of assembly. No more freedom of movement. No more freedom of any kind,” asking, “How could any human being want such a future reality?”
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Adding another reaction, a post read, “This also explains why communism inevitably fails every time it’s tried. It gets the incentive structure for economic production backwards. If a guy playing Xbox all day has the same economic outcome as a guy working 80 hours a week then eventually everything falls apart.”
“Free money is also a magnet for LEGAL immigrants. American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for welfare benefits for any noncitizens,” stated one user. Agreeing, another response added, “America is the last chance, there is nowhere else to go if democracy and Western society of equality and self-determination fails here.”