Elon Musk has started to influence British politics in recent weeks. He has attacked Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He has also targeted Trump ally, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Elon Musk has started to influence British politics in recent weeks. He has attacked Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He also targeted Trump ally, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The attacks on the current government centre around a row over a national enquiry into child rape gangs. The Labour government are pushing back on growing calls for a new national enquiry.
For context in the row over a national enquiry, one was conducted which took seven years to finish. The Jay Review outlined 20 recommendations which the government have committed to implementing. So far only one of the recommendations has hit the statute books.
Professor Alexis Jay is the author of the report. She told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme that “We’ve had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions. This is especially true for the victims and survivors who’ve had the courage to come forward.”
Musk Vs Labour
So where does Elon Musk come into all of this? Using his X social media platform, he has hit out at the ruling Labour Party, the Prime Minister, and other members of Parliament. What is even more striking, is that he has also called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as Reform UK’s leader.
The Tesla and Space X founder hit out at the Prime Minister, pointing out that when several highly publicised child rape cases, Keir Starmer was in charge of prosecutions in the UK.
Musk went on to take aim at Jess Philips MP. She is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls. On his X social media platform, he called her a “rape genocide apologist.” He also said that she should be in prison.
In a televised press conference about the NHS by Keir Starmer, press questions were dominated by Musk’s attacks on his Labour Party. He defended his record whilst leading the Crown Prosecution Service.
Starmer was asked to comment on Musk’s accusation. Musk claimed that he was “deeply complicit in the mass rapes in exchange for votes”.
Starmer responded by accusing his critics of “spreading lies and misinformation”.
It is quite obvious at this point that Elon Musk is not impressed by the government’s handling of the crisis before them. Digging deeper, Musk then took aim at the British Parliament. He published a list of MP’s who had voted against deporting convicted foreign rapists.
Even as I type this, the war of words between Elon Musk and members of the Labour Party rages on, both on social media, and in the print and broadcast media too.
So What about Nigel Farage?
Nigel Farage is the leader of the Reform UK political party. He is also a Member of Parliament. He is most widely known for his influence on Brexit, and his relationship with Donald Trump.
Indeed, it would not suprise me if Nigel Farage is invited to the Trump White House before any other influential British politician.
Cue Elon Musk. He suggested, again on X, that Reform UK should admit far-right activist Tommy Robinson to the party. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is currently serving an 18-month prison term for contempt of court.
This prompted Nigel Farage to respond stating that Yaxley-Lennon would not be welcome in his party. Elon Musk responded in a way no-one expected. He called for Reform UK to replace Nigel Farage as its party leader.
This intervention took many, including myself by suprise, and it didn’t take long for Farage to respond. In a tweet quoting Musk, he said “Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree.”
The remarkable intervention and subsequent exchange is even more intriguing given Musk will be serving in Trump’s White House, and Farage is one of Trump’s closest allies.
During Donald Trump’s successful election campaign, both Elon Musk and Nigel Farage appeared on stage with the President-elect on numerous occasions.
After Trump’s victory in November, Musk and Farage were photographed together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
But Wait!
Just when one could be forgiven thinking that there is a transatlantic crisis brewing between Farage and Musk, all seems to be back to normal.
Elon Musk is back to agreeing with Nigel Farage publicly.
Never Under-estimate the Elon Musk Effect
So, that’s how things stand at the time of writing. It has been one of the craziest weeks in both British and trans-atlantic politics I can remember.
It also highlights the power that Elon Musk has, especially with his X platform. His ability to influence not only the domestic American political agenda, but also now seemingly the British political agenda must not be underestimated.
The key take-aways from all this is that Elon Musk appears to be overshadowing President-elect Donald Trump, but also influencing events on a global scale.
The potential for Musk to essentially be a back seat President whilst in the White House is very real. Could he be setting up a potential Presidential bid in 2028? Is he positioning himself as Trump’s natural successor?
I would think JD Vance might have something to say about that. One thing is for sure. We have entered a soap-opera era of global politics where no-one can know what is going to happen next.
Before the Christmas holidays, nobody saw this multi-axis, multi-national political chaos coming.
I fear it is only the beginning.
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