A recent investigation by ProPublica reveals that a member of Congress, who is also a Trump supporter, allegedly helped former President Donald Trump’s social media company secure a foreign-worker visa for an executive, raising questions about the alignment with Trump’s policies.
The former director of special projects for Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska disclosed that she was instructed to assist Trump Media in obtaining the visa, despite expressing concerns about the appropriateness of the request. Bacon reportedly advised her to “deal with it,” though the former staffer later stated that ProPublica misrepresented her comments.
Trump Media, a significant part of Trump’s financial portfolio, received the visa assistance, marking a rare instance where a sitting congressperson intervened on Trump’s behalf for a private business matter.
Though the visa acquisition was legal, it contradicts Trump’s public stance on prioritizing American workers. During his presidency, Trump’s administration enforced policies that made it harder for companies to hire foreign workers, advocating instead for hiring Americans. Trump’s current campaign platform continues to emphasize these principles.
A source familiar with the situation informed ProPublica that a North Macedonian software developer was chosen for the executive role in part due to the higher cost of American candidates. The developer, Vladimir Novachki, had already been approved for a visa when Trump Media sought help from Bacon’s office to expedite the process, which was delayed by a backlog at the US embassy in North Macedonia.
Congressional offices often assist with visa issues, but typically for companies within their district. Trump Media, however, is based in Sarasota, Florida, not Bacon’s Nebraska district. A spokesperson for Bacon defended the action, citing privacy concerns and stating that the case was handled like any other, with no special treatment given.
In response to ProPublica’s investigation, a Trump Media spokesperson accused the outlet of fabricating the story and threatened legal action, labeling the article as defamatory. The spokesperson also emphasized that there was no wrongdoing in the visa process.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s company has faced scrutiny for its hiring practices. Trump Media has previously employed a foreign outsourcing firm, despite Trump’s vocal opposition to outsourcing jobs. The Trump campaign reiterated that Trump supports the admission of highly skilled immigrants, provided they are thoroughly vetted and do not undercut American wages.
Vladimir Novachki eventually joined Cosmic Development, a Canadian IT and tech outsourcing firm co-founded by Chris Pavlovski, who also founded the right-wing video platform Rumble. Pavlovski later recommended Novachki for his ability to develop a cost-effective version of Trump’s Truth Social platform.
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