Elon Musk has publicly criticised Nigel Farage by claiming he ‘doesn’t have what it takes’ to lead Reform UK.
The richest man on earth and close Donald Trump ally has turned his attention to British politics in recent weeks, sharing positive comments about Reform UK on X and apparently considering making a donation to the party.
He’s also been critical of the current Labour government, claiming Sir Keir Starmer failed to bring ‘rape gangs’ to justice when he led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Some have welcomed Elon’s interest in Britain, as he was a star guest at then-prime minister Rishi Sunak’s AI summit in November 2023.
Before Christmas, he invited Nigel and Reform UK’s treasurer, Nick Candy, to his lodgings at Mar-a-Lago.
But despite his apparent support of Reform UK, and Nigel’s defence of Elon’s recent comments, he doesn’t seem too keen on its leader any more.
He shared a post on X earlier today simply stating: ‘The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.’
This seems to follow Elon’s support of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson – who Nigel has said ‘won’t be’ a member of Reform UK – calling for Robinson to be freed from prison.
Robinson is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.
Shortly afterwards he shared a tweet by Richard Tice, another Reform UK MP, who described the ‘rape gang scandal’ as a ‘massive horrific stain on British establishment, political class and mainstream media over at least two decades’.
Elon added: ‘The Labour Party opposes a national inquiry on the mass rape of little girls in Britain for one reason only: It will show that they were complicit.’
He then appeared to endorse Rupert Lowe, one of the party’s five MPs, as a replacement.
‘I have not met Rupert Lowe, but his statements online that I have read so far make a lot of sense,’ Elon wrote in response to a post asking whether the Great Yarmouth MP and former Southampton FC chairman should take over the top job.
Nigel has since responded to Elon’s views, calling his X post a ‘surprise’, adding: ‘Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree.
‘My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called Musk’s comments about grooming gangs ‘misjudged and certainly misinformed’, telling Sky News: ‘We’re willing to work with Elon Musk. I think he’s got a big role to play with his social media platform to help us and other countries to tackle this serious issue.
‘So if he wants to work with us, roll his sleeves up. We’d welcome that.’
Metro has contacted Reform UK for comment
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