Elon Musk has made waves in British politics recently, urging Nigel Farage to step down as leader of the right-wing Reform UK party.
In a post on X, the social media platform he owns, Musk stated that the Reform Party needs a new leader, asserting that Farage lacks the necessary qualities to lead effectively.
Farage expressed his disagreement with Musk’s assessment, affirming that he will not resign, while Musk continued to speculate about potential successors.
Musk’s pointed critiques of centrist politicians, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer—whom he labeled a “national embarrassment” who “must go”—are in line with his recent political shift towards the right, particularly concerning issues of race and migration. He often engages in online disputes with left-wing leaders.
The tension between Musk and Farage, a prominent figure in the anti-immigration movement, is unexpected. Earlier in a television interview, Farage defended Musk’s right to free speech despite Musk’s derogatory comments about Labour politicians.
However, Farage disagreed with Musk’s support for controversial figure Tommy Robinson, who is currently imprisoned for contempt of court.
Musk has been vocal on British political matters in recent days, often commenting on the child sexual abuse scandal in Rotherham, where a group of predominantly British Asian men abused young, vulnerable white girls for years while authorities remained inactive.
On Sunday, Musk shared distressing excerpts from the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and reposted misleading statistics claiming that 80% of gang rapes in Britain are perpetrated by Pakistani men. This information was incorrectly attributed to a non-existent “Cockbain report,” and the actual source was the now-defunct Quilliam think tank, which has been discredited.
The controversies surrounding the Rotherham scandal have contributed to race riots in August, during which Musk also had conflicts with the UK government.
Both Musk and Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, argue that there is a significant issue with sexual violence attributed to immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries.
Farage commented on Musk’s diverse opinions, saying, “Musk has a whole range of opinions, some of which I agree with strongly, while others I am more hesitant about.”
In response to Musk’s suggestion for him to resign, Farage tweeted: “Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual, but I disagree on this matter.”
Musk has sparked discussions regarding Reform’s leadership, responding positively to a suggestion that MP Rupert Lowe should take over, saying, “I have not met Rupert Lowe, but his online statements make a lot of sense.”
Speculation is growing about Musk potentially making a significant financial contribution to U.K. politics, similar to his involvement in the 2024 American election, which saw Donald Trump win, allowing Musk to gain influence and a role in a major governmental overhaul.
However, Musk’s claim that Reform would be better off without Farage—who has led the party to political success—raises questions about any financial involvement.
Musk also endorsed an article by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, published in the Mail on Sunday, calling for a full public inquiry into the issue of multiple gangs of Asian men abusing girls across various towns in the UK.
Several inquiries have been conducted into the horrific abuse suffered by women and girls in Britain at the hands of gangs of pedophiles, including a national inquiry initiated in 2022 by the Conservative government.
Badenoch has emphasized the need for a new inquiry to consider the potential racial or religious motivations behind these crimes.
This story has been updated.
