In a surprising twist, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla Inc., appears to have shifted his stance on Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK and a prominent figure in right-wing populism. Once a vocal supporter, Musk recently took to his social media platform, X, to express dissatisfaction with Farage’s leadership, stating, “Farage doesn’t have what it takes. Reform UK needs a new leader.”
This sudden reversal is unexpected, especially given Musk’s earlier endorsements of Farage’s party. Just days prior, Musk had declared that “only” Reform UK could “save” Britain, even advocating for early elections to address the nation’s political challenges. The two had recently met at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where discussions reportedly included the possibility of Musk donating to the party.
However, Farage’s recent comments suggest a rift. During a BBC interview on Sunday, Farage expressed his support for free speech but emphasized that he does not align with all of Musk’s views. “While Musk is allowed to have an opinion, I don’t agree with everything he stands for,” Farage remarked. He also distanced himself from Musk’s controversial call to release far-right activist Tommy Robinson from prison. Despite this, Farage referred to Musk as a “hero” for his dedication to free speech.
Musk’s social media activity has been the source of considerable controversy. Over the past week, he has launched inflammatory attacks on UK politicians, including accusations against Prime Minister Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Musk claimed Starmer was “complicit in the rape of Britain” and suggested that Phillips “deserves to be in prison.” These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from UK government officials.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described Musk’s comments as “disgraceful” and “ill-informed.” Speaking on Sunday, Streeting called for greater accountability from Musk in his role as a social media platform owner. “If he wants to make a difference, he should focus on addressing online abuse and creating a safer digital environment,” Streeting stated.
Farage’s balancing act between supporting free speech and distancing himself from Musk’s more extreme positions highlights the complexities of navigating political alliances in the age of social media. For Musk, whose influence spans industries and political spheres, this episode underscores the challenges of maintaining consistent messaging in a rapidly evolving public discourse.